The House of Representatives passed a series of funding bills Thursday, sending the measures to the Senate with a January 30 deadline to prevent a partial government shutdown. The bills cover a significant portion of the federal government’s operations.
Funding Package Faces Senate Scrutiny
The House approved the funding package with 220 votes in favor and 207 opposed, demonstrating broad bipartisan support with a notable exception. Seven Democrats broke with their party to vote against the bill funding the Department of Homeland Security through September, citing concerns over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that ICE is “totally out of control using taxpayer dollars to brutalize American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families.” This sentiment stemmed from a recent incident in Minneapolis where an ICE officer shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Macklin Good earlier this month.
The Senate is expected to vote on the funding measures next week. This will present Democrats with a difficult choice: approve the entire package, or risk a shutdown. The bills include funding for defense, health, transportation, and housing.
Concessions and Concerns
Democrats attempted to add provisions to the bills that would place stricter limits on ICE, including measures to prevent the deportation or detention of U.S. citizens, prohibit excessive force, and restrict raids at sensitive locations. While some concessions were made – including funding for ICE body cameras, increased oversight, and de-escalation training – Democratic leadership deemed them insufficient.
Representative Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat, acknowledged the bill’s imperfections but argued it was preferable to a government shutdown or continued funding through a continuing resolution. Representative Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, ultimately opposed the bill, stating concerns about ICE outweighed the gains made in other areas, such as increased funding for FEMA and TSA.
Representative Tom Cole, Appropriations Committee chair, criticized Democrats for focusing solely on ICE, arguing they were overlooking the benefits of the funding for other vital agencies.
With House members departing Washington ahead of a winter storm, the responsibility now falls to the Senate to finalize the appropriations process before the January 30 deadline. Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, indicated she will vote in favor of the measures, citing the need to avoid steep cuts proposed by the Trump Administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is at stake if the Senate fails to pass these funding bills?
If the Senate does not pass the funding bills by January 30, a partial government shutdown will occur, impacting various federal agencies and services.
Why did some Democrats vote against the Department of Homeland Security funding bill?
Seven House Democrats voted against the bill due to concerns about the tactics used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), specifically citing an incident in Minneapolis where an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Macklin Good.
What concessions did Democrats secure in the final funding package?
Democrats secured dedicated funds for ICE body cameras, increased funding for oversight and de-escalation training, a flat budget for ICE, a $115 million reduction in enforcement and removal operations, and a cut to detention bed capacity.
As the Senate prepares to take up the funding bills, the outcome remains uncertain. Will Democrats coalesce around a compromise, or will disagreements over ICE funding lead to a disruptive government shutdown?
