House Democrats face internal chaos as Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries refuses to support a Senate-passed spending package that would end the government shutdown, citing the absence of critical Immigration and Customs Enforcement reforms demanded after fatal Minneapolis confrontations.
Senate Deal Passes Without House Democrat Support
The Senate approved a bipartisan funding package in a 71-29 vote last week, providing yearlong budgets for the departments of War, Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Health and Human Services. The bill would end a four-day funding lapse while giving lawmakers two weeks to negotiate ICE provisions. However, the compromise excludes Democrat demands for ending ICE roaming patrols, strengthening warrant protections, banning agent masks, and requiring visible identification following two deadly Minneapolis incidents between immigration enforcement and civilians.
Jeffries Draws Line in Sand
Jeffries made his position clear Monday, stating Democrats have articulated necessary requirements for any full-year appropriations bill connected to ICE funding. Representative Eric Swalwell echoed this stance, saying House Democrats refuse to co-sign legislation without serious reforms. The resistance creates a direct confrontation with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who negotiated the deal. Representative Jarred Moskowitz acknowledged the disconnect between House and Senate Democrats, noting House members were excluded from negotiations. The American people care about whether citizens are being shot, Moskowitz emphasized, referencing the Minneapolis tragedies that sparked reform demands.
Border Democrats Break Ranks
Not all House Democrats oppose the package. Representative Henry Cuellar, a Texas border-district Democrat, confirmed he would vote to end the shutdown when asked directly. Cuellar, one of seven Democrats who previously supported limited Department of Homeland Security reforms in January, said the current bill aligns with his earlier position. That package included body cameras for ICE agents and additional civilian interaction training. Cuellar expressed hope that additional reforms could be negotiated during the two-week extension window, suggesting changed dynamics might create more negotiating room. Representative Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, also backed the spending deal.
Second Shutdown in Three Months
This marks the second government funding lapse in just three months, highlighting persistent congressional dysfunction on spending and immigration enforcement. DeLauro urged the House to quickly clear the bills, minimizing disruption to eight cabinet departments and dozens of agencies. Representative Byron Donalds criticized House Democrats’ calls to abolish ICE entirely, arguing such proposals undermine constitutional authority. The divide exposes broader tensions within the Democratic caucus between progressives demanding aggressive ICE reforms and moderate members from competitive districts wary of prolonged shutdowns. With Democrats unable to present a unified front, the government funding crisis continues while millions of federal workers and contractors face uncertainty.
