Democratic leaders rejected a counteroffer from the White House outlining proposed reforms for the Department of Homeland Security, raising the odds of a shutdown at the sprawling agency when short-term funding expires on Friday night.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a joint statement issued Monday night that the White House’s response to their 10-point list of demands for changes at DHS is “incomplete and insufficient,” and includes “neither details nor legislative text.”
Speaking to reporters, Jeffries characterized the counterproposal as “woefully inadequate.”
Democrats’ demands for reform focus on the behavior of federal agents, who have been accused of excessive violence toward immigrants and citizens alike, and include an end to racial profiling, the use of body cameras and strict restrictions on the wearing of masks. The reforms would mostly affect agents with ICE and CBP, though DHS includes a broad array of agencies, including the Coast Guard, FEMA and TSA, all of which would be affected by a shutdown.
Nearing a stalemate: Although neither side is showing signs of giving ground, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday that there is still time to find a compromise.
“There are things I think on probably both sides that are non-negotiables,” he said, per Politico. “But I do think there are a number of things in the range of common ground.”
Schumer sounded less optimistic, saying on social media that the “Trump administration is all talk, no action” on DHS reform. Noting that thousands of federal agents are still enforcing an aggressive crackdown on immigrants in Minneapolis, Schumer took a firm stand on Democratic demands for reforms at DHS, saying, “Democrats will not pass a DHS funding bill without serious reforms.”
Jeffries underlined the point, telling MS NOW’s Katie Tur that unless Republicans agree to “dramatic reform of DHS, ICE, CBP and the way in which immigration enforcement is undertaken,” a partial government shutdown seems likely. “The ball is in Republicans’ court,” he said.
Jeffries told Tur that he does not want to pass another short-term funding bill to give negotiators more time to make a deal. “We’ve heard nothing but crickets in response, in terms of a serious counterproposal,” Jeffries said. “Were we to agree to a continuing resolution, in the absence of good faith negotiation, that’s just a delay and a stall tactic by this administration.”
DHS oversight: In a sign of the anger that has built up over the issue, Democratic lawmakers demanded major changes at DHS during an oversight hearing Tuesday of the House Homeland Security Committee, attended by CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, Director of Citizenship and Immigration Services Joseph Edlow and Acting Director of ICE Todd Lyons.
“I'm going to say it loud and clear, and I'm proud to stand by what I say: DHS cannot be reformed,” Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez said during questioning. “It must be dismantled, and something new must take its place. Because if we let DHS persist, it will continue to be a weapon that can be pointed at anyone the government considers the public enemy.”
New York Rep. Dan Goldman offered some advice to the leader of ICE. “You said in your opening statement that references to ICE as the Gestapo or the secret police encourages threats against ICE agents,” he said to Lyons. “The problem is, you have it backwards, sir. People are simply making valid observations about your tactics, which are un-American and outright fascist. So, I have a simple suggestion: If you don't want to be called a fascist regime or secret police, then stop acting like one.”
The agency leaders defended their records and the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. “We will not be intimidated,” Lyons said. “The president tasked us with mass deportations, and we are fulfilling that mandate.”
The officials declined to comment on the shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents, citing ongoing investigations into their deaths.