Centrist Democrats in the Senate are showing little willingness to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security and bring an end to the ongoing partial shutdown, even as Republicans warn that the escalating conflict with Iran increases potential security risks at home.
Negotiations between the White House and Democratic lawmakers have made little headway in recent weeks. Democrats have largely held firm on their demands, while Republicans have attempted to increase pressure by arguing that the international situation underscores the importance of fully funding the agency responsible for domestic security and counterterrorism.
Republican leaders say the current standoff could leave the country vulnerable at a time when threats may be rising.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) highlighted that concern in a message posted to the social media platform X over the weekend.
“Following the successful strikes on Iran and the FBI’s warning of elevated threats here at home, it is dangerous for Democrats in Washington to keep the Department of Homeland Security shut down,” Scalise wrote.
Despite those warnings, many Democrats remain unconvinced that the situation overseas should influence the ongoing funding fight.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) rejected the argument that the conflict with Iran should prompt Democrats to abandon their demands for policy changes.
“No, I don’t,” Kaine said when asked whether the escalating situation should affect the negotiations. “Republicans gave DHS plenty of money in the ‘big, beautiful bill.’ They have plenty of money. So we’re not going to suddenly say, ‘Oh, well, let’s give up our request for necessary reforms.’”
Several Democrats who previously voted to end a 43-day government shutdown last November have indicated they are not prepared to change course.
At least four of the eight Democrats who broke with party leadership to reopen the government last fall say the developments involving Iran do not alter their position on DHS funding.
Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with Democrats, said he sees no connection between the agency’s funding fight and the conflict in the Middle East.
“I don’t think there’s any relationship between FEMA and Iran — or the Coast Guard, for that matter,” King said, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other DHS components.
One notable exception among Democrats has been Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who has voiced support for funding DHS. Fetterman has already been the only Democrat to vote in favor of advancing a full-year DHS funding bill.
Negotiators have struggled to bridge a major divide that emerged after lawmakers in both chambers agreed earlier to pass five full-year funding bills while leaving DHS unresolved. The dispute stems in part from the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during an encounter with federal immigration agents, which prompted Democrats to demand significant changes to immigration enforcement policies.
Since then, the White House and Democratic negotiators have exchanged proposals and counterproposals in an effort to break the stalemate. Administration officials sent their latest proposal to Democratic leaders late last week.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is leading the Democratic negotiating effort, said discussions remain ongoing but that the sides are still far apart.
“We’re still far apart, but we’re still negotiating and exchanging paper back and forth,” Schumer said Tuesday.
Schumer argued that resolving the funding dispute would be straightforward if Republicans agreed to Democratic proposals related to immigration enforcement.
“It’s very easy for them to get all of this funded,” he said. “Simply to agree to our commonsense proposals on ICE and Border Patrol. What we’ve asked for is what every police force does.”
Democratic leaders, including Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), have pushed for tighter warrant requirements for immigration operations, an end to what they call “roving patrols,” and rules requiring immigration officers to remain unmasked and operate in ways similar to other law enforcement agencies.
Republicans have rejected those proposals, describing them as unacceptable conditions.
“They have the power to reopen [DHS]. Our demands are reasonable,” said Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), another Democrat who voted to end last year’s shutdown.
The impasse has prompted some Republicans to explore alternative paths forward. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), a member of the Appropriations Committee, said she has begun informal discussions with rank-and-file Democrats in hopes of finding a potential compromise.
Some Democrats have floated another idea that mirrors a previous approach used ahead of the earlier shutdown deadline. That plan would fund roughly 80 percent of DHS operations while leaving immigration-related agencies unresolved.
Programs that could be funded under that proposal include FEMA, the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard, and the Secret Service.
“I think many of us have been willing to do that,” Kaine said. “I don’t know why [Republicans] wouldn’t. They negotiated those bills too. There are things in the bills they like, so why not allow them to go forward.”
Republicans, however, have shown little interest in pursuing that option. When asked whether she would support such a bill, Britt responded that she would not.
The funding dispute is unfolding alongside another key debate in Washington over the administration’s military actions against Iran.
Kaine has introduced a war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Trump’s authority to continue military operations against Iran. While the measure is expected to fail, Democrats say it is important to debate whether the president’s strikes were lawful.
Republicans are widely expected to oppose the resolution.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said he is likely to vote against the measure, noting that the administration formally notified Congress of the military action and that no U.S. ground troops have been deployed.
Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) also indicated he is leaning toward opposing the resolution.
The Trump administration has stated that military operations against Iran could continue for roughly a month, though Republican lawmakers have said they hope the conflict concludes sooner. Trump has said the administration will do “whatever it takes” to complete the mission.
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