Authorities shutdown drags on as Dems demand ICE reforms, Home GOP holds slim majority

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Congress is a really superstitious place. Solely on Capitol Hill would temporal markers like Groundhog Day and Friday the thirteenth maintain legislative resonance.

The partial authorities shutdown will proceed till at the least Tuesday. This impacts 78% of the federal authorities after Democrats scuttled a multi-bill spending plan final week over issues about ICE.

The cost now for the Home of Representatives is to align with a revised Senate-passed plan from Friday. This invoice would fund the Pentagon, HUD, transportation applications and a bunch of businesses via September 30. However it will solely function DHS briefly as Democrats demand reforms to ICE.

Many Home Democrats balked on the plan supported by many Senate Democrats on Friday. That contributed to uncertainty about whether or not the Home can reopen the federal government this week. First, Home Democrats argued they weren’t a celebration to the deal lower by many Senate Democrats to partially fund the federal government and solely apply a Band-Support to DHS funding.

DEMOCRAT WHO BROKE WITH PARTY SAYS HIS DHS FUNDING VOTE A 'MISTAKE' AFTER 2ND MINNEAPOLIS ICE SHOOTING

The partial authorities shutdown will proceed till at the least Tuesday. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Pictures)

Home Democrats seethed — not so privately – final March when Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and different Democrats agreed to assist Republicans keep away from a shutdown. So final Thursday, I requested Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) if he and Schumer had been in sync this time.

"To start with, that query is, so March of 2025," Jeffries chided.

He then ran via a litany of examples of Home and Senate Democrats aligning, starting from well being care to the autumn authorities shutdown. Jeffries then answered the query.

"Sure. Brief reply. We're on the identical web page," stated Jeffries.

After which added a caveat — which is so February 2026.

"Now with respect to what emerges from the Senate, as is at all times the case, we'll consider no matter invoice comes over to us on its deserves," stated Jeffries.

Some Democrats had been high-quality with the funding deal. Average Democrats didn’t need to proceed the federal government shutdown. It’s unhealthy politics again house. Others embraced earmarks they secured within the funding package deal. But progressives argued they couldn’t help any funding invoice till they noticed concrete plans to reform ICE. That’s to say nothing of some on the left desirous to defund ICE.

"I might be voting no on this funding package deal. I refuse to ship one other cent to (White Home Adviser) Stephen Miller or (Homeland Safety Secretary) Kristi Noem," stated Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), the highest Democrat on the Home Guidelines Committee.

However Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the rating Democrat on the Home Appropriations Committee, deliberate to vote sure. The invoice funds many of the authorities for the remainder of the fiscal yr. And it buys time to get a deal on ICE.

"If we don't try this, we won't be able to convey the sorts of strain that's essential to ensure that ICE doesn't proceed to terrorize our communities," stated DeLauro.

So there often is the votes to cross the invoice. However the true drawback could also be on a take a look at vote, generally known as the rule.

The Home should approve the rule first to find out the way it will deal with a invoice on the ground. If the Home adopts the rule, it could possibly debate and vote on the invoice. If the vote on the rule fails, the gig is up.

Some Republicans could oppose the rule. And Democrats made clear they'd not help on the procedural measure which is typically carried by the bulk occasion.

"Republicans have a accountability to maneuver the rule," stated Jeffries. "If they've some large mandate, then go cross your rule."

Home Republicans really feel the strain.

HOUSE FREEDOM CAUCUS DRAWS LINE ON DHS, ICE FUNDING AS MINNEAPOLIS UNREST FUELS SHUTDOWN RISK

Home Democrats seethed final March when Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer and different Democrats agreed to assist Republicans keep away from a shutdown. (Picture by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Pictures)

"We at all times work till the midnight hour to get the votes. You by no means begin the method with everybody on board," stated Home Majority Chief Steve Scalise (R-LA).

It’s in regards to the math.

The Republican majority shrank Monday after the Home swore-in Rep. Christian Menefee (D-TX). He received a particular election in Texas over the weekend. The GOP majority now holds a 218-214 benefit. In different phrases, Republican can lose one vote and nonetheless cross a invoice on their very own if each Member casts a poll.

"Does his election make your job slightly harder tomorrow?" I requested Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as he met with Menefee for the ceremonial swearing-in.

"We have now a one vote margin now. So what may go improper? That is high-quality. We're completely happy for him. And, I hope the primary vote is to not shut the federal government down. That is not a great way to start out," stated Johnson .

"Are you going to make the job slightly tougher on the Republican facet tomorrow?" I queried Menefee.

"I simply bought elected on Saturday and simply jumped off the aircraft to get right here. So my first job is to determine what the toilet is," stated Menefee.

I adopted up.

"Does that imply a no vote tomorrow?"

"It means I've bought to think about the problems very thoughtfully and forged a vote that matches my values," deflected Menefee.

"Good reply!" exclaimed an ecstatic Johnson.

So all the things hinges on the rule vote. If the Home crosses that procedural hurdle, it could possibly most likely cross the invoice and end the shutdown . If not, there’s bother.

President Donald Trump posted on Fact Social that he hoped there was a bipartisan answer to what he termed a "lengthy, pointless and damaging shutdown."

Maybe it’s solely acceptable that everybody was speaking about ending a authorities shutdown on Groundhog Day. Particularly after the record-breaking 43-day shutdown final autumn.

By the way in which, Punxsutawney Phil noticed his shadow. He forecast six extra weeks of winter. In spite of everything of those funding fights, when is somebody going to ask Phil for his prognostication in regards to the shutdown?

However overlook Groundhog Day. What everybody ought to actually give attention to is Friday the thirteenth. As in every week from Friday. If the Home aligns with the Senate and ends the partial authorities shutdown, lawmakers solely have till 11:59:59 pm et on Friday the thirteenth to fund DHS . In any other case, DHS stays broke. Once more. Meaning FEMA has points. TSA brokers aren’t getting paid. You title it.

SENATE DEMOCRATS THREATEN SHUTDOWN BY BLOCKING DHS FUNDING AFTER MINNESOTA ICE SHOOTING

President Donald Trump stated that he hoped there was a bipartisan answer to what he termed a "lengthy, pointless and damaging shutdown." (Jose Luis Magana/AP Picture)

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It’s onerous to deal with points with ICE in such a good timeframe.

"Republicans have to take a superb take a look at what's occurring across the nation and understand too that it is time to rein in ICE's abuses," stated Schumer.

Some Republicans agree.

"We must always have been specializing in criminals and gang members and folks with lively deportation orders. I do not suppose we should always have been specializing in individuals which were right here for a very long time, grandmothers, et cetera, that occur to be in a neighborhood while you're doing an enforcement motion," stated Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) on Fox Enterprise. "I feel that that was a mistake and I feel it is coming again to hang-out us proper now."

So there’s bipartisan settlement on addressing ICE. However these reforms should make it via each the Home and Senate by Friday the thirteenth.

Solely Congress may create a nightmare like this.

Chad Pergram presently serves as Chief Congressional Correspondent for FOX Information Channel (FNC). He joined the community in September 2007 and is predicated out of Washington, D.C.