House Democrats Urge Action to Reopen Department of Homeland Security Amid Ongoing Shutdown

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has called on House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to reconvene Congress to address the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has lasted over a month. The shutdown has significantly impacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), particularly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following the deaths of two U.S. citizens by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis. Jeffries emphasized the urgency of reopening DHS to alleviate chaos at airports and ensure that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents receive pay.

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The Senate has previously passed a bipartisan bill aimed at funding the majority of DHS operations, excluding ICE and Border Patrol. This legislation received unanimous support from both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate. However, the House did not advance the bill due to objections from hardline conservatives, opting instead for a short-term funding measure before recessing for the holiday. Jeffries highlighted that House Democrats support the Senate's bipartisan approach to reopen DHS, including funding for the TSA, Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and cybersecurity professionals.

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Hakeem Jeffries has been vocal about the need for immediate action, stating, “The first thing that needs to happen is that the House of Representatives... need to bring us back into session so we can actually reopen the Department of Homeland Security.” He criticized the current situation as creating chaos and emphasized the bipartisan nature of the Senate's funding bill.

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Conversely, Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) expressed opposition to any funding plan that does not support ICE and Border Patrol, stating, “If that’s the vote, I’m a NO.” This reflects a broader division among Republicans regarding the funding strategy, particularly with some advocating for a budget reconciliation bill that includes ICE funding, which could complicate negotiations.

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Democratic lawmakers are under pressure to reach a funding agreement, especially with heightened national security concerns amid international conflicts. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) criticized the current legislative stalemate, stating, “Just making this beltway football is not making the American public safer.” He underscored the urgency of securing funding for FEMA and other security agencies in light of upcoming events, such as the World Cup.

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While there is bipartisan support for the Senate's funding bill, significant divisions remain within the Republican Party regarding the inclusion of ICE and Border Patrol funding. Some Republicans are resistant to any plan that appears to concede to Democratic demands, complicating the path forward for a comprehensive funding agreement.

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Both chambers of Congress are currently in recess and are not scheduled to return until the week of April 13. The ongoing discussions and disagreements over DHS funding will likely continue to dominate the legislative agenda upon their return, as lawmakers seek to address both national security concerns and the operational needs of DHS.

The Hill