House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said Democrats are preparing to formally respond to the “unserious” offer by the White House on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, warning that a partial shutdown remains likely because of the GOP’s refusal to reform and rein in ICE.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Jeffries said Republicans’ proposal fails to meet Democrats’ core demands, including requiring judicial warrants before ICE agents enter private homes and allowing independent investigations when agents violate the law. He framed those provisions as basic constitutional protections, not partisan bargaining chips.
“It’s completely and totally unacceptable,” Jeffries said, that Republicans refuse to require warrants or support outside investigations of agents accused of wrongdoing.
Jeffries also criticized the administration’s use of taxpayer dollars to fund masked, untrained agents who are “brutalizing the American people.” He said federal spending should be directed toward improving Americans’ quality of life, not carrying out aggressive enforcement actions against everyday Americans and law-abiding immigrant families.
Jeffries: ‘It’s On Republicans If The Coast Guard Shuts Down, If FEMA Is Shut Down, And If TSA Is Shut Down’
When asked by a reporter about next steps, Jeffries stated Democrats are ready to negotiate “with anyone, anytime, any place” if Republicans are serious about what he called “dramatic reforms” to get ICE under control. But he made clear that Democrats expect to respond jointly, across the House and Senate, to the latest GOP proposal—and that the responsibility for avoiding a shutdown now rests with Republicans and the White House.
When another reporter raised concerns about TSA officers, FEMA workers, and Coast Guard personnel who could go unpaid during a funding lapse, Jeffries said Democrats are working to protect those agencies. He pointed to legislation introduced by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, to fund DHS components unrelated to ICE and CBP. However, Jeffries noted that Republicans rejected it.
Jeffries compared the current standoff to the government shutdown last fall, when Republicans resisted extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits. He stated that the GOP strategy backfired then and would do so again.
We’re going to continue to hold the line on behalf of the American people,” Jeffries stated, adding that if the Coast Guard, FEMA, or TSA shut down, the blame will fall squarely on President Donald Trump and Republicans.
