Dems Stall Trump Bid for DHS Funding Extension

Democrats, seeking to capitalize on widespread public discontent following the deadly shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis this month, said they would not support a short-term funding extension for the Department of Homeland Security that lasts more than two weeks.

Seven conservatives joined all Democrats in blocking the broader funding package from advancing. (Photo: Mobilus In Mobili Flickr) 

The Trump administration, meanwhile, is pushing for a six-week extension, Lauren Fox, Annie Grayer, Ellis Kim and Alison Main reported for CNN.

“More people can get killed in two weeks,” Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy told CNN.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), however, argued that Congress would need at least two weeks procedurally to renegotiate, consider, and pass a new DHS funding bill.

“It’s too short. We can’t do it in two weeks,” Mullin told reporters.

“By the time you go through the amendments, you go through cloture, you go through all that, it’s probably not enough. We asked for six—I mean, we may settle at three, we may settle at five, we may settle at six, I don’t know. But two, if that’s what they’re insisting—OK, maybe. But they’ve got to be realistic on the time frame.”

Seven conservatives joined all Democrats in blocking the broader funding package from advancing. Still, Senate Minority Leader John Thune expressed confidence that lawmakers would ultimately back a final deal with “a good, strong vote on both sides.”

Thursday’s Senate push followed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer laying out his caucus’s demands the previous day.

According to The Daily Beast, Democrats are seeking changes to ICE tactics and protocols in any DHS funding bill, including tighter warrant requirements, an end to roving patrols, enforcement of a law enforcement-style code of conduct, and requirements that ICE agents remove their masks and wear body cameras.