Amid rising tensions over the future of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), White House Border Czar Tom Homan recently met with a group of centrist Democratic senators to discuss reopening the agency and addressing long-standing concerns about immigration enforcement.
White House Moves Forward with Centrist Democrats
On Thursday, Homan held a more than hour-long meeting with Democratic senators who broke ranks with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer in November to end a 43-day government shutdown. The discussion focused on finding a path forward to reopen DHS after its funding lapsed on February 14.
Among those attending the meeting were Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Angus King (I-Maine), along with Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.).
Homan, who is tasked with overseeing the negotiations, signaled that talks would continue, with an emphasis on resolving the deadlock.
“We’re going to keep talking,” Homan said after the meeting. “We need to get the government open and we’re going to keep having discussions.”
Tensions Between Democrats and Republicans Over DHS Reopening
Schumer’s absence from the meeting raised questions about the ongoing Democratic strategy. Up until now, Schumer has been at the forefront of negotiations with the White House, alongside other key Democratic leaders, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.).
However, according to a Senate Republican source, there is skepticism about reaching a deal with Schumer, with some Republicans believing that centrist Democrats might be more amenable to compromises on certain immigration-related reforms.
Republicans have suggested that they may be able to strike a deal with moderate Democrats, including agreeing to stronger rules that require federal immigration officers to wear body cameras, a reform that has gained traction in recent months.
However, Democrats are still demanding additional reforms, including provisions to ensure stronger oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The Push for Immigration Reforms
While Homan continued his outreach to moderate Democrats, Senator Cortez Masto made it clear that the party’s position remains firm on pushing for real reforms, particularly in areas like warrants, training, and the wearing of masks by federal officers.
She stated, “Democrats have made their demands very clear. I’m glad that the White House is talking with us, but they have a lot of work to do. My colleagues and I are not going to vote for any deal that doesn’t include real reforms.”
Republicans, on the other hand, have argued that meaningful conversations must take place to address these issues, with Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) calling for Democrats to engage in a more constructive negotiation process. “You can’t get there if you’re not sitting down at the table,” Thune stated, urging Democrats to act decisively.
Democratic Fractures Over Leadership
The growing division within the Democratic Party was also evident in statements made by Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. Stratton, who is expected to run for the Illinois Senate seat, voiced her opposition to Chuck Schumer’s continued leadership, stating that voters are “fed up” with the current political gridlock in Washington.
She emphasized the need for more “fighters” in Congress, suggesting that Democratic leadership needs to evolve to meet the needs of the electorate.
“I think right now what I’m hearing from voters all across the state of Illinois is that they are fed up,” Stratton said. “They want people who are going to stand up, fight for what’s important.”
The Path Forward: Challenges in Reopening DHS
As negotiations continue, both the White House and Congress face the difficult task of finding a compromise on reopening DHS, particularly in light of the strong divisions within the Democratic Party.
While Homan remains committed to engaging with centrist Democrats, the situation remains fluid, and it is unclear when a resolution will be reached.
