NEWS
Luján, Heinrich vote against DHS funding
Department of Homeland Security shutdown looks likely after funding vote fails in the Senate
Published
Modified
New Mexico’s U.S. senators voted against year-long funding for the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday, alongside all but one Senate Democrat, pushing the federal agency closer to a shutdown.
Congress has passed annual funding for the majority of the federal government since the shutdown in November, but money for Homeland Security has become a point of conflict after videos of DHS agents killing protesters in Minnesota made international headlines and sparked more demonstrations.
Before funding DHS, Democrats have called for an end to roving patrols of immigration enforcement agents, tightened rules for warrants, a ban on agents wearing masks and a requirement for body cameras. They are also seeking a uniform code of conduct for ICE and all federal agents and for independent investigations of any misconduct.
“We now know that these agents were going into people's homes without securing warrants, arguably violating the United States Constitution and our rights as Americans as well,” said Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M. “What was being proposed, including body cameras, IDing yourself, is no different than what we see with local law enforcement. Local law enforcement across the country abide by these rules, and I don't understand why there's so much opposition from Republican colleagues to be able to do this.”
Along with Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DHS also oversees the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Coast Guard. If no funding bill passes, those agencies could see a lapse in funds by Saturday.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said not funding DHS is "the wrong message to send to the world at this point in time" and jeopardizes airport security and the nation's cybersecurity.
"That’s telling the rest of the world the Democrat party doesn’t think that protecting America is safe," she said.
DHS did get an influx of money from the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” particularly when it came to money for ICE and CBP. Congress appropriated $75 billion for ICE last year on top of a more typical $10 billion annual appropriation.
The White House sent lawmakers a proposal for funding DHS this week, an offer Senate Majority Leader John Thune called “extremely serious.”
“On top of that, the White House has continued to show it’s committed to taking actions on its own, with (White House Border czar) Tom Homan this morning announcing the withdrawal of almost all agents from Minnesota,” Thune said in a Senate floor speech.
Luján said the White House proposal lacked details and commitment.
“The White House, in their responses to all of this, simply were not providing any information or details, and — as they always do — refused to commit to any changes whatsoever,” Luján said. “We did not see any of our Republican colleagues change their opposition to any reforms being included.”
Republicans also tried to pass a two-week continuing resolution to keep DHS temporarily funded, which Democrats blocked.
Democrats have advocated for a continuing resolution that funds every DHS agency except ICE, an idea Republicans did not get on board with.
"I will vote to fund TSA. I will vote to fund FEMA. I will vote to fund the Coast Guard. But I will not vote to give another dollar to ICE until they are committed to the rule of law,” Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., said in a statement.
Cathy Cook covers the federal government for the Albuquerque Journal. Reach her via email at ccook@abqjournal.com
