Washington — Washington (AFP) – House Speaker Mike Johnson He faces tough days trying to pass a federal funding package and prevent it from being prolonged Partial government shutdown As the debate intensifies over the Trump administration’s sweep Immigration enforcement operations.
Johnson indicated that he is counting on help from President Donald Trump To ensure traffic. Trump Make a deal with the senators To separate funding for the Department of Homeland Security from a broader package after public outcry Two people were killed by shooting during Protests in Minneapolis Against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Within the framework of the plan Approved by the Senate, The Department of Homeland Security will be temporarily funded through February 13, setting a deadline for Congress to try to find consensus on new restrictions on ICE operations.
“The president is driving this,” Johnson, a Republican from Los Angeles, told “Fox News Sunday.”
“It’s his stage call to do it this way,” the spokesman said, adding that the Republican president “has already acknowledged that he wants to turn down the volume” on federal immigration crackdowns and raids.
The first test will come Monday afternoon during the committee meeting when Johnson will need his GOP majority to advance the package after Democrats refused to provide votes for quick consideration. Johnson said he hopes to finish working toward a full vote in the House, at least by Tuesday.
Democrats are demanding Ice restrictions It exceeds $20 million for body cameras already in the bill and wants to require federal immigration agents to unmask and identify themselves and is pushing to end roving patrols, amid other changes.
“What is clear is that the Department of Homeland Security needs radical reform,” he said. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries New York on ABC’s “This Week.”
Jeffries said the administration needs to start negotiations now, not in the next two weeks, on the changes Immigration enforcement operations.
“Masks must be taken off,” he said. “Injunctions consistent with the Constitution should certainly be required, in our view, before DHS or ICE agents break into the homes of the American people or rip people out of their cars.”
At the same time, Republicans in the House of Representatives, along with some allies in the Senate, are making their own demands, as they work to support Trump’s campaign against immigrants in the United States.
The House Freedom Caucus has insisted on full funding for Homeland Security while some Republicans are pushing for other measures to be included, including Conservation lawa long-standing Trump priority that requires proof of citizenship before Americans are eligible to participate in elections and vote.
Johnson said he would talk to lawmakers over the next day to find out what it would take to gain support.
At the same time, a number of federal agencies were caught up in a funding crisis as the government entered a crisis Partial closure During the weekend.
Defence, health, transportation and housing are among those given closure directives by the administration, although many operations are considered essential and services are not necessarily interrupted. The workers could remain without pay if the impasse continues. Some may be granted leave.
Lawmakers from both parties are increasingly concerned that the shutdown will cripple the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which they rely on to help state voters after storms and other disasters.
This is the second time in months that federal government operations have been disrupted as Congress uses the annual funding process as leverage to extract policy changes. Last fall, Democrats sparked what became the longest federal shutdown in history, lasting 43 days, when they protested the expiration of health insurance tax credits.
That shutdown ended with a promise to vote on proposals to extend the Affordable Care Act’s tax credits. But with GOP opposition, Democrats were unable to achieve their goal of keeping the benefits in place. Insurance premiums rose in the new year for millions of people.
This time, the administration expressed interest in resolving the closure issue more quickly.
Johnson said he was in the Oval Office last week when Trump, along with border czar Tom Homan, spoke with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York to reach an agreement on changes to immigration enforcement.
“I think we’re on our way to reaching an agreement,” Johnson said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Body cameras, which are already provided in the package, and ending roving patrols by immigration agents are potential areas of agreement, Johnson said.
But he said removing masks and putting names on agents’ uniforms could lead to problems for law enforcement officers as they are targeted by protesters and their personal information is posted online.
“I don’t think the president will agree to it, nor should he,” Johnson told Fox.
But Democrats said immigration is out of control and must end in Minneapolis and other cities.
Increasing numbers of lawmakers are calling for it Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem He is Expulsion or isolation.
“What’s happening in Minnesota right now is a dystopia,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who has led the effort to hold the line for more changes.
“Immigration and Customs Enforcement is making this country less safe, not safer today,” Murphy said on “Fox News Sunday.”
He added: “Our focus over the next two weeks must be on reining in this lawless and unethical immigration agency.”