John Thune rejects new DHS offer from Democrats: ‘Not even close’
Senate Majority Leader John Thune rejected Democrats’ latest offer on funding for the Department of Homeland Security, accusing them of rehashing old demands as the partial goverment shutdown looms. He argued that Democrats know better and are asking for measures that have already been rejected. Democrats’ proposal, pushed by Schumer after deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis, outlined nine reforms to DHS immigration enforcement and was described by Schumer as a good-faith step, with House Democrats saying they’re ready to negotiate. Thune indicated he would hold another vote on DHS funding that would exclude about $5 billion for ICE removal operations, a concession, while the package would include money for body cameras and de-escalation training. Democrats, including House Leader Hakeem Jeffries, said the offer is not close to what they need, and Jeffries urged resolving the issue this week.Negotiations have involved centrist Republicans and Democrats, with Sen. Katie Britt and others seeking a compromise,but the stalemate risks extending toward or surpassing a record shutdown.
Thune rejects new DHS offer from Democrats: ‘Not even close’
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) rejected the latest offer on funding for the Department of Homeland Security, accusing Democrats of “rehashing old ground” as a partial government shutdown nears a new record.
“They know better. They’re asking for things that have already been turned down. So, it just seems like they’re going in circles,” Thune told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday.
Thune made the comments minutes after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) sent Republicans a proposal that contained nine reforms to how DHS should conduct immigration enforcement after the death of two protesters in Minneapolis.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), leaving a meeting with Schumer at the Capitol, said Democrats still consider tighter warrant requirements and a ban on officers wearing face masks as “absolutely essential” to striking a deal.
Schumer called the offer a “good-faith proposal that contains some of the very same asks Democrats have been talking about now for months.”
In a floor speech, Schumer argued that Democrats stand ready to negotiate “at a moment’s notice,” though Thune said not to expect a new proposal from Republicans.
“There’s no point in doing that,” he said. “Honestly, this is retreading ground that we’ve been treading for weeks, and, frankly, starting to go on months.”
Instead, Thune announced that he would hold another vote on DHS funding later on Wednesday that excludes around $5 billion earmarked for Immigration and Customs Enforcement removal operations. The exclusion represents a concession on the part of Republicans, who sent their own offer to Democrats over the weekend.
The legislation includes money for body cameras and de-escalation training that Republicans brokered with Democrats in January, before the death of a second protester.
“Later today, we’re going to trigger a vote,” Thune said. “They said over the weekend that they didn’t want to fund ERO, they’ll fund everything else — so, we’re going to give them an opportunity to vote to do that.”
Jeffries told the Washington Examiner that the offer from Republicans was not “close” to what Democrats need for a deal. His meeting with Schumer is part of a flurry of activity at the Capitol as lawmakers frantically search for an end to the impasse, which is approaching the 43-day shutdown record set last year.
Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), the lead negotiator on DHS funding for Republicans, also met with three centrist House Democrats at the Capitol on Wednesday to discuss a possible compromise.
SENATE GOP TO MAKE ‘DOWN PAYMENT’ ON SAVE AMERICA ACT WITH PARTY-LINE BILL
When asked if lawmakers should stay in town until an agreement is reached, Jeffries said, “We need to resolve this issue. We should resolve it this week.”
Thune has previously suggested Republicans could cancel some or all of the April recess if a deal does not come together.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
