Ted Cruz Proposes Splitting Immigration Funding Amid Homeland Security Shutdown

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has introduced a proposal to separate funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from the broader budget for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This initiative arises amidst a 36-day partial government shutdown that has led to significant operational disruptions, particularly at airports, where wait times have reportedly exceeded three hours due to a shortage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel. Cruz argues that the current impasse is largely due to Democrats' unwillingness to fund DHS, stating, “If that’s where the Democrats are, I’ve suggested let’s fund ICE and CBP through reconciliation,” which would allow Republicans to proceed with just 50 votes.

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The ongoing shutdown has resulted in TSA agents missing multiple paychecks, leading to increased absenteeism and resignations. Cruz highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that “millions of Americans right now are facing two-, three-, four-hour waits at airports.” His proposal has garnered attention within the Senate Republican conference, with other GOP members, such as Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), expressing openness to the idea as a means to break the deadlock.

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Cruz's suggestion aligns with discussions among Republican senators about potentially moving forward with an appropriations bill that funds all of DHS except for ICE, while addressing immigration enforcement through budget reconciliation. Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) emphasized this strategy, stating, “Let’s open up everything but ICE... the Republicans are going to put a reconciliation bill on the floor that requires Republican votes to fund ICE.” This approach aims to circumvent a Democratic filibuster and expedite funding for immigration enforcement.

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Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the Democratic vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has called for a separate funding agreement for TSA and other agencies, but faced opposition from Republicans who accused Democrats of engaging in “political games.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) acknowledged the proposal but expressed a preference for a comprehensive deal with Democrats to fund the entire DHS.

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Critics of Cruz's proposal argue that it may exacerbate partisan tensions and hinder efforts to achieve a comprehensive immigration reform. Some Democrats have expressed concerns that separating funding could undermine broader negotiations aimed at addressing systemic issues within immigration enforcement.

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Negotiations are ongoing, with a White House border czar scheduled to meet with Senate negotiators from both parties to discuss a potential agreement on DHS funding. GOP lawmakers have indicated that discussions are progressing, but the outcome remains uncertain as both sides navigate the complexities of the funding impasse.

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• “What I’ve suggested is that the Democrats have gotten so extreme and unreasonable that I don’t know that they will ever be willing to fund Department of Homeland Security,” — Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator

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• “Anything that we have to do, even incrementally, to get some of this impasse done, I’d be open to,” — Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator

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• “Let’s open up everything but ICE, OK?” — John Kennedy, U.S. Senator

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