A partial authorities shutdown has lately come to an finish, however one other one could also be on the horizon if Democrats and Republicans cannot hammer out an settlement on potential restrictions to placed on immigration enforcement techniques which were put within the highlight after two deadly shootings by federal regulation enforcement in Minneapolis final month.
A day after Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries and the overwhelming majority of his caucus voted against a funding deal Senate Democrats had struck with the White Home, Democratic leaders introduced a unified message as they laid out their calls for for reform on the Division of Homeland Safety — calling on Republicans to “get critical” as lawmakers face a Feb. 13 deadline to fund the company.
“The Home and Senate are utterly and completely on the identical web page when it comes to Democrats,” Jeffries instructed reporters Wednesday. “Chief Schumer and I had an in depth, optimistic dialog yesterday concerning the path ahead.”
Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries, flanked by Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer and Rep. Katherine Clark, Home minority whip, speaks to reporters throughout a information convention on the Capitol, Feb. 4, 2026.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer mentioned they “had a extremely good and productive assembly, and we’re on the identical web page.”
As Jeffries and Schumer regular themselves for bipartisan negotiations, each leaders appeared wanting to capitalize on the general public backlash towards the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions.
Democrats known as to separate the DHS funding following the deaths of Renee Good, a mom of three who was fatally shot by an immigration enforcement officer in Minneapolis on Jan. 7, and have become extra pressing after the dying of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, who was killed in a taking pictures involving federal regulation enforcement in Minneapolis on Jan. 24.
Sixty-two p.c of People say present efforts by ICE to cope with unauthorized immigration go too far, based on polling performed by Ipsos Jan. 30 to Feb. 1.
What the Democrats need to change at DHS
Democrats reiterated their calls for on Wednesday, calling for judicial warrants and an finish to roving patrols, a ban on Immigration and Customs Enforcement carrying face masks and new coverage requiring brokers to put on physique cameras turned on.
“Democrats are on the desk,” mentioned Sen. Patty Murray, the highest Democratic appropriator within the higher chamber. “We’re targeted on getting a invoice, but it surely must be a invoice that reins within the abuses that we’re seeing by ICE and CBP.”
However bipartisan negotiations haven’t commenced, and Speaker Mike Johnson is sending the Home on recess a day early on Wednesday afternoon.
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer joined by Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries and Home Homeland Safety Chairman Bennie Thompson, speaks at a press convention on Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) funding on the Capitol, Feb. 4, 2026.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Pictures
“The underside line is we’re prepared to take a seat down and negotiate,” Schumer mentioned. “If [Republicans are] not critical and so they do not put in actual reform, they should not anticipate our votes. Plain and easy.”
Schumer and Jeffries appeared not sure whether or not they’re negotiating with President Donald Trump or congressional Republicans — with Schumer reporting that Senate Majority Chief John Thune instructed Democrats to speak to the White Home.
“Each are afraid of their shadows, and so they’re getting loads of blowback and stress from their left,” Thune mentioned of Jeffries and Schumer, according to Bloomberg, with Thune including he hadn’t acquired a proposal from Democratic leaders as of Wednesday morning.
“Thune is fearful of his personal shadow,” Jeffries instructed reporters early Wednesday afternoon. “We’re negotiating as a result of we need to attempt to obtain an final result, however the adjustments which can be enacted with respect to the best way during which the Division of Homeland Safety is conducting itself should be daring, significant and transformative.”
The GOP response
Johnson mentioned that Democrats “need to have a judicial warrant on high of the immigration choose warrant. And we will not try this,” noting time constraints.
Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson speaks to reporters after the Home handed laws to reopen and fund the federal government on the Capitol, Feb. 3, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
Aaron Schwartz/Getty Pictures
Johnson has signaled a “good religion” willingness to compromise on physique cameras, however was adamant that Republicans wouldn’t assist a ban on face masks for brokers.
“When you could have individuals doxing them and focusing on them, in fact, we do not need their private identification on the market on the streets, and so we have set to work by means of this in a significant method, in a considerate method that comports with frequent sense,” Johnson mentioned Sunday.
Exit ramps
Thus far, Democrats haven’t put their proposal into legislative textual content.
Republicans have additionally not crafted any laws thus far to handle subsequent week’s deadline.
“Let’s hope that over the following two weeks, we are able to negotiate and get this carried out,” Johnson instructed reporters on Tuesday. “[Democrats] say they need an actual negotiation with President Trump and Republicans over immigration enforcement coverage, and we’re comfortable to have that debate.”
The Capitol is seen by means of the Cannon Home Workplace Constructing, Feb. 3, 2026.
Mariam Zuhaib/AP
Jeffries instructed reporters that he’s a “arduous no” on a seamless decision for Homeland Safety by means of the top of the fiscal yr.
“We have to resolve this problem by Feb. 13,” Jeffries mentioned. “Americans are being killed within the streets. Youngsters are being kidnapped. Homes of worship, faculties and hospitals are being stormed. We have to get this carried out and get this carried out instantly.”
Democrats predicated that Republicans are setting the stage for a shutdown.
“Mike Johnson has articulated unreasonable positions,” Jeffries mentioned. “He is truly supporting the notion that masked and lawless ICE brokers must be deployed in communities all through America. That is Mike Johnson’s place. That is opposite to what the American individuals imagine must be going down.”
Johnson instructed reporters that he was heading to the White Home later Wednesday to speak to the president.
“We’ll see the way it all develops,” Johnson mentioned.
What’s the influence of shutting down DHS subsequent week?
The DHS appropriations invoice funds way over ICE, regardless of ICE getting a lot of the consideration on this present standoff. The invoice additionally funds Transportation Safety Administration, FEMA, the Coast Guard and the Secret Service, amongst different federal businesses.
Whereas there’s some FY2026 funding for ICE, the company acquired a $75 billion infusion of funding over the following decade by means of the already-passed “Large Stunning Invoice,” so a lapse in funding at DHS wouldn’t stop operations there.
“What they’re going to be shutting down is FEMA operations, as we’re cleansing up from the winter storm. They will be shutting down TSA, which is clearly essential to preserve the nation shifting by means of our airports. Coast Guard operations,” Johnson mentioned of Democrats’ actions. “I imply, so many necessary capabilities within the Division of Homeland Safety is what can be adversely affected by these partisan video games. Let’s hope and pray that they do not try this. Let’s hope that over the following two weeks, we are able to negotiate and get this carried out.”
