Full Breakdown
DeLauro Proposes DHS Funding Bill Excluding ICE and CBP
2/12/2026, 11:46:18 AM
Legislative Overview
House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) has introduced a bill aimed at funding various agencies under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while explicitly excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This legislative move comes as a stopgap measure to fund DHS is set to expire shortly, with negotiations ongoing between Democrats and Republicans regarding immigration enforcement reforms.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The proposed legislation would provide full-year funding for several DHS components, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Secret Service. Notably, the bill prohibits any funds from being transferred to ICE or CBP. DeLauro emphasized the need for significant reforms within these agencies, advocating for measures such as requiring warrants for home entries, preventing the detention of U.S. citizens, and mandating the use of body cameras by agents.
Political Context and Reactions
The introduction of DeLauro's bill coincides with calls from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for comprehensive reforms in immigration enforcement, particularly following incidents where ICE agents fatally shot U.S. citizens. However, negotiations have stalled, with both parties exchanging counterproposals without reaching a consensus.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) criticized the bill, suggesting that it effectively seeks to defund law enforcement, a significant aspect of DHS operations. In contrast, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) expressed support for a full-year DHS funding bill, diverging from Thune's push for a temporary funding measure.
Implications of the Proposed Bill
DeLauro's legislation aims to ensure that essential DHS functions, such as disaster preparedness and cybersecurity, continue uninterrupted while negotiations on ICE and CBP reforms are ongoing. She stated, “Immigration and Customs Enforcement cannot be abolished, but I will not provide a single dime of funding until we see radical changes in how it operates.” This stance underscores the Democrats' commitment to reforming immigration enforcement practices.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics, particularly from the Republican side, have voiced concerns about the implications of defunding ICE and CBP. Thune's remarks reflect a broader apprehension that such actions could jeopardize national security and public safety. The ongoing impasse suggests that reaching a bipartisan agreement on DHS funding and immigration reform remains challenging.
What's Next
As the deadline for DHS funding approaches, the likelihood of a short-term funding resolution appears slim, with Democrats indicating they will block any temporary measures that do not address their demands for reform. The situation remains fluid, with further negotiations expected as both parties seek to navigate the complexities of immigration enforcement and funding priorities.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Immigration and Customs Enforcement cannot be abolished, but I will not provide a single dime of funding until we see radical changes in how it operates.” — Rosa DeLauro, House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member
- “That’s kind of a large portion of what DHS is. I don’t know how you do that.” — John Thune, Senate Majority Leader
- “We’ve not moved a CR here because our position is, the Senate should pass the House-passed homeland bill. We got it done. We did the work in the House, and I think they should — they should get that through,” — Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House
