Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Well, howdy there, Internet people.
It's Bell again. So today, we're going to talk about Dems saying they'll block DHS funding. Senate Democrats are saying they'll block a spending package if it includes funding for DHS.
Chapter 2: What are Senate Democrats proposing regarding DHS funding?
The current package as is would give $64.4 billion for the DHS, including $10 billion for ICE specifically.
Even with recent developments, it's a surprising move from Senate Democrats who tend to avoid taking hardline stances. What's even more surprising is that the push to block it is being supported by Democratic leadership. Schumer released a statement, quote, What's happening in Minnesota is appalling and unacceptable in any American city.
Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill. But because of Republicans' refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE. I will vote no. Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included.
Chapter 3: Why are Democrats opposing the DHS funding package?
Senator Patty Murray of Washington, who is the ranking member on the Appropriations Committee, which means she's the person who actually negotiated the funding package, has decided that she won't be supporting the package. She posted publicly, quote, Federal agents cannot murder people in broad daylight and face zero consequences. I will not support the DHS bill as it stands.
The DHS bill needs to be split off from the larger funding package before the Senate. Republicans must work with us to do that. I will continue fighting to rein in DHS and ICE. Okay, so what does this mean? The move by Democrats seems to be to try to split the DHS spending package off from the larger package, which includes everything from education to defense.
Republicans need at least some Democratic votes to move the package and keep the government open. But the current feeling is that Republicans are probably going to bank on Democrats caving before there's another government shutdown. Because despite the talk from the Democratic Party, Republicans are under pressure from Trump, who won't want to be perceived as failing in yet another way.
He's underwater on the economy. His trade wars have failed. His foreign policy is in shambles. The only issue he's slightly above water on is immigration, even though it's his crackdowns and ISIS tactics that are eroding his support on it. he's unlikely to want to admit that his policies are bad.
So the real question is whether or not the Democratic Party will hold out in the Senate, or is this just talk in the aftermath of a dynamic and emotion-provoking event? That being said, most of the policy experts we've talked to have suggested the fallout from Minneapolis hasn't really even started yet.
The fallout in Minnesota and the reactions of the public are likely to shape how far the Democratic senators are willing to push and how obedient Republicans are to Trump. Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.
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