Fetterman warns of another shutdown as DHS negotiations stall
Among the Democrats' demands have been the inclusion of body cameras on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, a ban on them wearing masks, a judicial warrant requirement, and a multitude of others.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., over the weekend warned of another partial government shutdown as negotiations over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding package have stalled.
Congress has passed 11 of the 12 annual appropriations bills, but has thus far only managed a temporary extension of the DHS legislation, set to expire on Feb. 13. The stopgap bill came as Democrats demanded concessions on immigration enforcement, leading to a partial shutdown. Speaking on Fox News, Fetterman warned that a second shutdown was imminent.
“I absolutely would expect that it’s going to shut down,” he told Fox News's Maria Bartiromo. “We, the Democrats, we provided ten kinds of basic things, and then the Republicans pushed back quickly saying that’s a Christmas wish list, and that they’re nonstarters."
Among the Democrats' demands have been the inclusion of body cameras on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, a ban on them wearing masks, a judicial warrant requirement, and a multitude of others.
"I truly don’t know what specifically are the Democrats’ red lines that it has to be, certainly not going to get all 10," Fetterman said. Republicans, thus far, have rejected most of the Democratic proposals, though DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has already indicated openness to expanding the use of body cameras.
Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.