Democrats, White House Trade Offers As DHS Funding Deadline Looms
Negotiators exchanged proposals as lawmakers race to reach agreement before the Feb. 13 DHS funding deadline.
Overview
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that Democrats sent a 10-point list of demands to the White House and that the administration responded with a counterproposal, officials confirmed.
Democrats said their demands include requirements for judicial warrants, removal of masks and clearer identification for DHS officers, stricter use-of-force standards and a ban on racial profiling following the Jan. 24 killing of Alex Pretti and the Jan. 7 death of Renee Good.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said there is "forward progress," while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called some demands "nonstarters" and House Speaker Mike Johnson said unmasking agents would endanger them and their families.
If Congress fails to reach a deal by Feb. 13, DHS would partially shut down and agencies including the Transportation Security Administration and the Coast Guard could face funding lapses while ICE and CBP remain funded by prior allocations of $75 billion and $64 billion respectively, records show.
Lawmakers are weighing options including a short-term extension or separating ICE funding, with negotiators urging more time and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries saying "The ball is in the Republicans' court" as many Democrats refuse to back new DHS funds without "dramatic" changes.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the debate neutrally, attributing strong language to sources, balancing Democratic demands with Republican pushback, and providing factual context (recent shootings, funding deadlines). They avoid loaded editorial language, include multiple officials' quotes, and outline procedural options without advocating a viewpoint.
Sources (14)
FAQ
Democrats demand judicial warrants, removal of masks and clearer identification for DHS officers, stricter use-of-force standards, and a ban on racial profiling.
DHS would partially shut down, affecting agencies like TSA and Coast Guard, while ICE and CBP remain funded by prior $75 billion and $64 billion allocations respectively; USCIS continues operating as fee-funded.
The demands follow the January 24 killing of Alex Pretti and the January 7 death of Renee Good by federal agents.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune sees forward progress; White House calls some demands nonstarters; House Speaker Mike Johnson says unmasking agents endangers them.
Options include a short-term funding extension or separating ICE funding, with negotiators urging more time.
History
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