House Democrats pushed back against Republican calls to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) without immigration enforcement reforms after a recent shooting incident, maintaining their position on reform demands [1]. Republicans urged Democrats to abandon demands to change immigration enforcement and fund the entire DHS, saying the shooting should prompt immediate full funding [1]. Democrats rejected using the violence for political leverage. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said, "I think that the idea of using any one incidence of violence for a political end is pretty sad and unfortunate" [1].
The Senate passed a bill funding all DHS agencies except Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) [1]. However, House Republicans refused to consider the Senate bill and instead approved their own bill to fund the entire department, including ICE and CBP, reflecting a continuing split [1]. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats would not concede on their demands for ICE and CBP reforms. Speaking Monday, Jeffries criticized Republicans for blocking DHS funding, saying, "Donald Trump and House Republicans have now shut down the Department of Homeland Security for more than 70 days because ... [they] wanted to continue to drive their extreme immigration agenda" [1]. Jeffries also urged Republicans to "bring that bill to the floor today," referring to the Senate funding bill that "has been languishing in the House of Representatives" [1].
House Republicans questioned the Senate bill, calling it "problematic language because it was haphazardly drafted," according to Mike Johnson, who said they have a "modified version that I think is going to be much better for both chambers" with little substantive change [1]. Democrats like Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) called the GOP position nonsensical, saying, "I don't understand what the Republicans are saying, like it actually makes no sense at all" [1]. Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nevada) pointed out that a DHS bill has passed the Senate but not the House GOP [1].
The disagreement centers on how to fund or reopen DHS after the shooting. Republicans want Democrats to drop immigration reform demands in exchange for full funding. Democrats want the House to pass the Senate bill funding all but ICE and CBP, with reform conditions intact [1].
The DHS shutdown has lasted over 70 days, worsening operational concerns [1]. Lawmakers continue negotiations but no resolution is imminent. For now, the House remains divided and the DHS funding bill has yet to advance.