Pessimism is growing on Capitol Hill as Congress races to strike a deal on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding and avoid another government shutdown.
If lawmakers fail to act by Friday, Feb. 13, at midnight, DHS would enter a partial shutdown, disrupting agencies that play a role in border security, disaster response and travel.
The stalemate centers on immigration enforcement. Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in the Senate and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries in the House, are pushing for tighter Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) warrant requirements and for agents to be unmasked. Senate Republicans say there is little room for compromise. Senate GOP leader John Thune has said he plans to tee up a short-term continuing resolution, but no vote has been scheduled.
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If a shutdown occurs, it would affect agencies including ICE, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Coast Guard.
