Senators far apart on DHS deal as talks stall with deadline looming

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Hill

02/08/26 6:00 AM ET


Pessimism is increasing across the Capitol that lawmakers will reach a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as they point fingers over the lack of talks and float canceling the upcoming recess.

Senators return to Washington on Monday facing a sprint to strike a deal and avoid a shutdown that would affect agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Coast Guard.

Democrats, facing intense pressure from their base to rein in Trump’s deportation crackdown, have insisted GOP lawmakers acquiesce on including far-reaching immigration reforms in the funding bill. Republicans have little appetite to even put most of those demands on the table. And, with a Feb. 13 deadline looming, negotiations hadn’t even gotten off the ground by the end of last week.

When asked of his level of optimism that a deal could come together by then, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) responded: “About a minus squillion.”

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5727162-dhs-funding-deal-shutdown-deadline/

[Roy Rolling]

1. What?

Are you kidding me? The “deal” with Republicans is in risk of falling apart?

I think it’s impossible.

There has to be “falling in” before there can be “falling apart”.

Mr. “Art of the Deal” is a thief and criminal, he can’t be trusted to uphold a deal. His whole deal strategy is to break any deal and demand further compensation. Or finish the deal and not pay.

Either way, it’s what happens when you make a deal with the devil.

[EarlG]

2. This feels like a total no-brainer

The Hill is framing it in classic lazy-ass beltway reporting style as both sides “pointing fingers” and Democrats facing “intense pressure from their base.” But IMO that misses the mark by a wide margin.

The public has already decided that they hate this ICE Gestapo stuff, and the Democrats are surely riding a wave of public support here. All they have to do is show that they are the ones who are trying to rein in ICE, and it’s a clear win.

Meanwhile the Republicans not only have to defend the current iteration of ICE, they have to explain why they won’t stand up for the Constitution by forcing ICE to abide by common sense standards — standards that should seem completely reasonable to most people who aren’t already in the Trump cult.

All Democrats have to do is stand firm and show that they’re the ones trying to do something about ICE, while letting the Republicans eat shit as their approval ratings slide and their chance of holding Congress disappears down the toilet.

They just need a short, sharp response to any question they get asked about this. Something like, “No deal until Trump’s DHS stops abusing the Constitution and the American people.”

If there was ever a moment for Dem Senators to stand firm, this is the moment. It’s an easy win. All they have to do is make it happen.

[paleotn]

4. Exactly. Dems have the wind at their back on this one without question.

It's so damn simple!! Why that's not easy for a beltway scribbler to understand, I'll never know. Does the author actually believe that supporting an agency that's shooting Americans in the street like this is fucking Honduras is a tenable position for Republicans?

[Prairie Gates]

3. It's only a deadline for DHS

Dems should ignore it unless GOP caves.

I'm fine with a 40 day + shutdown for DHS.

[justaprogressive]

5. Far-reaching MY ASS!

Basic protections and rule of F*ing LAW!!!!