DHS funding bill faces blowback from conservatives, progressives in Congress as shutdown deadline looms

Conservatives and progressives alike are venting their frustrations over a Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) funding invoice anticipated to get a vote this week, doubtlessly calling into query Congress’ objective of averting a January 30 authorities shutdown.

The invoice is a part of a bundle of 4 spending payments that the Republican Celebration hopes to cross earlier than the tip of the week, which additionally consists of funding for the Departments of Struggle, Training, Labor and Well being and Human Companies, amongst others.

Whereas progressive Democrats consider the bundle ought to embrace a lot stronger measures to stop future confrontations between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and protesters, some Republicans consider the invoice doesn’t go far sufficient to make sure DHS can obtain President Donald Trump’s immigration objectives.

In keeping with a brand new research from the Media Analysis Middle, ICE is portrayed in an overwhelmingly destructive gentle on ABC Information, NBC Information and CBS Information. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg by way of Getty Pictures)

Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., some of the vocal funds and border hawks within the Home of Representatives, mentioned he’s nonetheless weighing whether or not to help the measure.

CONGRESS REVEALS $1.2T SPENDING BILL AS A PROGRESSIVE REVOLT OVER ICE FUNDING BREAKS

“It is all up within the air. If it is filled with crap, I will not vote for it,” Burchett mentioned when requested in regards to the full bundle.

The DHS invoice is the results of bipartisan negotiations and features a handful of safeguards that Democrats say are crucial after Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot throughout a lethal encounter with ICE brokers in Minnesota earlier this month.

In its present kind, the invoice requires DHS to equip ICE officers with physique cameras, implements new coaching necessities for a way officers ought to work together with the general public, retains most of final yr’s funding the identical, and even cuts some funding for ICE’s removing operations.

“If it turns into a Republican product, it may be improved,” mentioned Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., though he declined to say whether or not he deliberate to vote for the invoice.

Home Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., took problem with language stopping authorities companies from sharing information on unaccompanied minors.

“Information sharing has to occur,” the highest Conservative mentioned. “It is mindless to ban information sharing between departments.”

HOUSE DEM SUPPORTS IDEA TO ADDRESS DHS FUNDING TO MINNESOTA ICE SHOOTING

Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., chairman of the Home Freedom Caucus, left, pictured subsequent to Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, proper. (Invoice Clark/CQ-Roll Name, Inc. by way of Getty Pictures; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Pictures)

Harris defined that beneath present legislation, the Division of Well being and Human Companies (HHS) displays the standing of unaccompanied kids crossing the border – in contrast to the overwhelming majority of unlawful aliens tracked by DHS. He needs the invoice to permit DHS and HHS to share details about kids.

“We have to defend these kids from human traffickers, intercourse traffickers and abuse – and I am not assured we are able to successfully defend them with that provision,” Harris mentioned.

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., instructed reporters Wednesday morning that he plans to introduce 4 amendments that he believes will handle some Republican issues. He declined to explain them however mentioned they might counsel each funding and coverage modifications.

With the sudden demise of Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., and the resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., earlier this month, Republicans can afford to lose simply two votes on every party-line consideration.

Whereas it’s unclear whether or not the DHS invoice will obtain any Democratic help, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, a gaggle of greater than 70 lawmakers, made clear final week that they might oppose laws that was not accompanied by significant guardrails and reforms on ICE.

Democratic lawmakers like Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Ore., mentioned the present invoice falls far in need of what she needed to see.

“I believe what we’re seeing now could be a transparent lack of management and authorized boundaries or guardrails to ICE’s actions,” Dexter mentioned.

“I cannot vote to additional fund ICE.”

When requested if she shared the issues of different Democrats that repealing the DHS legislation may punish authorities operations different than simply ICE, Dexter mentioned she believed lawmakers may take into account these areas individually.

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: PROGRESSIVE EYE SHUTDOWN LEVER TO TREAT THE ICE, OPERATIONS IN VENEZUELA

“Clearly, FEMA and TSA and different components of the DHS funds have to be made entire in some respect,” Dexter mentioned, referring to the administration’s catastrophe response and transportation security operations. “However we have to be life like in regards to the affect that ICE’s actions are having on this nation.”

Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., the third-ranking Democrat within the Home of Representatives and a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, mentioned particular person members ought to make their very own selections on the invoice.

Aguilar, for his half, questioned whether or not the administration would adjust to the brand new necessities even when they have been handed.

“All of the guardrails on this planet are ineffective if the federal government just isn’t going to comply with the legislation and the language we use. Members ought to preserve that in thoughts,” Aguilar mentioned. ‘Finally the members will vote [for] what’s in the most effective curiosity of their districts.”

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., the vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, introduced final week that the group would reject spending that doesn’t additionally embrace substantial guardrails for ICE.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speaks to members of the media after a discipline listening to on the Minnesota Senate Constructing in St. Paul, Minn., Jan. 16, 2026. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg by way of Getty Pictures)

“This week, the Home will vote on DHS funding. I cannot vote to provide ICE a cent. No extra clean checks for a rogue company that operates above the legislation, escalates violence, and erodes our most simple freedoms,” she wrote. on X.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

She declined to clarify her issues when requested by Fox Information Digital, saying, “I’ve already mentioned what I’ve to say about this.”

The Home of Representatives will take into account the DHS funding invoice on Thursday.