Senate efforts to avert a government shutdown face hurdles over Homeland Security funding and immigration reforms, as public vigils highlight urgent calls for change
RESTON, Va. — Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal to advance government spending bills that could avoid another extended government shutdown on Thursday.
If approved by the House, the deal would pass five of the six spending bills, funding much of the government, but would only include a stopgap measure for funding the Department of Homeland Security.
The deal would fund the department for another two weeks, as negotiations continue over immigration enforcement reforms. The sticking point in the Homeland Security funding is over whether to impose tighter restrictions on federal immigration agents. Senate Democrats are calling for changes like requiring agents to take off their face masks and to obtain warrants for arrests.
On Thursday night, hundreds of people gathered in Virginia to demand ice policy changes, even if that does lead to a partial government shutdown. They attended a vigil at the United Christian Parish in Reston, honoring the lives of Rene Good and Alex Pretti, two Americans killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
“In the name of the government, we’re murdering people on the streets. I never thought it would come to this,” said attendee Ardyth Scott.
The event was organized by Virginia Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11, D), along with community advocates and faith leaders.
“While the politics are important, and the fight that we’re engaged in right now to rein in an out of control Department of Homeland Security are important, the questions before us are bigger than politics,” said Walkinshaw.
Walkinshaw said he and the other democrats are demanding clear and enforceable guardrails to hold federal immigration agents accountable. Adding that he would like to see this negotiated this weekend, not in another two weeks.
“The decision to shut down the government or not lies with the White House and the Republicans in Congress; it’ll be their decision to shut down the government because they’re not willing to rein in an out-of-control Department of Homeland Security, and give the American people the protections from their own government that they’re demanding.”
Scott said she is hopeful to see real immigration enforcement reform, and wants to see democrats stand their ground.
“Congress is doing what they want, the President is doing what he wants, and we need to say no,” she said.
It is unclear how quickly the House can meet to vote on the bills after the Senate passes them. A temporary partial shutdown is possible as the House is in recess until Monday. The shutdown deadline is Friday at midnight.