Senate Republicans appear to be inching toward a deal to kick the can on a federal government shutdown over Department of Homeland Security issues — but hardliners in the House beg to differ.
Democrats have united behind a demand to add reforms to the DHS bill to rein in the brutal crackdown of Trump administration immigration agents, which has caused turmoil in cities like Minneapolis. So far, there is no indication that the White House or Senate GOP are on board with proposed reforms, which include warrant requirements and an end to immigration agents being allowed to hide their identities with masks. However, the plan slowly coming together would involve splitting the DHS funding bill from the other five, and passing a short-term bill to keep it afloat, to give lawmakers time to work out a longer-term compromise.
In the Senate, Democrats have pushed for a two-week extension of DHS funding to keep the pressure on for a deal. Republicans, meanwhile, want a six-week extension that would give them more breathing room.
Far-right lawmakers in the House aren’t even willing to do that, according to Fox News — something Senate Republicans have long feared would complicate any attempt to stave off the shutdown that will happen at the end of the week.
“The conservative House Freedom Caucus sent President Donald Trump a letter earlier this week signaling that its members would reject attempts to get DHS funding through the House again,” said the report.
Meanwhile, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), a prominent member, “told Fox News Digital via text message on Thursday, ‘THE HOUSE DID OUR JOB BY PASSING THE REMAINING SIX APPROPRIATION BILLS TO THE SENATE AND THERE IS NO RATIONAL REASON TO REMOVE DHS FROM THE APPROVAL PROCESS.’”
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) said, “The Democrats’ desire to keep millions of illegal aliens in the United States will not suddenly disappear in a week or a month with a Continuing Resolution. Delaying full year funding for the Department of Homeland Security any further is a bad idea.”
Even some Republicans from more bipartisan-focused groups in the House are trying to put their foot down, with Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK), who sits on the House Appropriations Committee, telling Fox News, “We’ve negotiated these bills in a bipartisan fashion. They should pass the [legislation] as packaged by the House. And again, we can negotiate changes that they feel are necessary if that’s their demand. But not funding.”
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