A partial authorities shutdown has not too long ago 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 have been put within the highlight after two deadly shootings by federal legislation 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 offered 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 advised reporters Wednesday. “Chief Schumer and I had a detailed, optimistic dialog yesterday in regards to 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 in opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions.
Democrats referred to 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 demise of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, who was killed in a taking pictures involving federal legislation enforcement in Minneapolis on Jan. 24.
Sixty-two % of People say present efforts by ICE to take care of unauthorized immigration go too far, in response to 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 sporting 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 centered on getting a invoice, however it 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 sit down down and negotiate,” Schumer mentioned. “If [Republicans are] not critical they usually 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 advised Democrats to speak to the White Home.
“Each are afraid of their shadows, they usually’re getting plenty of blowback and stress from their left,” Thune mentioned of Jeffries and Schumer, according to Bloomberg , with Thune including he hadn’t obtained a suggestion from Democratic leaders as of Wednesday morning.
“Thune is afraid of his personal shadow,” Jeffries advised reporters early Wednesday afternoon. “We’re negotiating as a result of we need to attempt to obtain an final result, however the modifications which might be enacted with respect to the way in which by 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 won’t 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 help a ban on face masks for brokers.
“When you’ve got folks doxing them and focusing on them, after all, we do not need their private identification on the market on the streets, and so we have set to work via this in a significant means, in a considerate means that comports with frequent sense,” Johnson mentioned Sunday.
Exit ramps
To date, Democrats haven’t put their proposal into legislative textual content.
Republicans have additionally not crafted any laws to date to deal with subsequent week’s deadline.
“Let’s hope that over the subsequent two weeks, we will negotiate and get this finished,” Johnson advised 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 via the Cannon Home Workplace Constructing, Feb. 3, 2026.
Mariam Zuhaib/AP
Jeffries advised reporters that he’s a “arduous no” on a seamless decision for Homeland Safety via the tip of the fiscal 12 months.
“We have to resolve this concern by Feb. 13,” Jeffries mentioned. “Americans are being killed within the streets. Kids are being kidnapped. Homes of worship, faculties and hospitals are being stormed. We have to get this finished and get this finished instantly.”
Democrats predicated that Republicans are setting the stage for a shutdown.
“Mike Johnson has articulated unreasonable positions,” Jeffries mentioned. “He is really supporting the notion that masked and lawless ICE brokers needs to be deployed in communities all through America. That is Mike Johnson’s place. That is opposite to what the American folks consider needs to be going down.”
Johnson advised 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 affect of shutting down DHS subsequent week?
The DHS appropriations invoice funds way over ICE, regardless of ICE getting many 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 may be some FY2026 funding for ICE, the company obtained a $75 billion infusion of funding over the subsequent decade via the already-passed “Large Stunning Invoice,” so a lapse in funding at DHS wouldn’t stop operations there.
“What they will 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 hold the nation shifting via our airports. Coast Guard operations,” Johnson mentioned of Democrats’ actions. “I imply, so many necessary capabilities within the Division of Homeland Safety is what will probably 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 subsequent two weeks, we will negotiate and get this finished.”
