In the high-stakes game of government funding, Democrats and Republicans are flexing their muscles once again, yielding yet another partial government shutdown. The Senate has passed a bill that funds most of the government, but leaves the Department of Homeland Security out in the cold, at least for now. The House is expected to follow suit, with a vote anticipated on Monday evening. This comes as Democrats are digging in their heels, refusing to fund the Department of Homeland Security for more than two weeks. Why? They want new restrictions for ICE, a key talking point for their progressive base, who have taken to viewing ICE as Public Enemy No. 1.
For those trying to make sense of it all, it wouldn’t be a congressional battle without a little candy bar analogy. A full government funding deal is likened to a whole KitKat bar. The House had initially passed a full spending bill – the entire KitKat. But the Senate, with Democrats in the driver’s seat, decided to break off a chunk, specifically the piece funding the Department of Homeland Security, opting for a temporary fix. This two-week “band-aid” covers DHS until lawmakers can thrash out terms regarding restrictions on ICE activities. So, ladies and gentlemen, grab your popcorn – or your candy bar, in this case – as the political theater unfolds.
Republicans smell opportunity here, as they often do when it comes to border security. They see the Democrats’ focus on ICE as a chance to reiterate their strong stance on the border, a platform that they believe helped them in the 2024 elections. With two weeks to drum up further discussion on the importance of securing the border and ICE’s crucial role, the GOP is prepared to make a case to the American people about why ICE needs continued support. Meanwhile, Democrats are claiming a small victory by causing a disruption, albeit temporary, and touting their efforts to challenge ICE.
But here’s the twist: ICE isn’t going anywhere in the near future. Even if the DHS remains unfunded, the Republicans have cleverly ensured that ICE is financially secure thanks to a hefty injection of funds made during last summer’s legislative maneuvering. The Democrats’ quest to defund ICE entirely is more optics than substance, and in the chess game of politics, the Republicans have anticipated the move. They’ve already placed their pieces to reinforce ICE’s funding well into 2029.
It must be noted that while DHS’s future seems subject to biweekly ransom notes in the form of temporary funding bills, the rest of the government’s funding remains unaffected until the end of September next year. However, the debacle raises larger questions about sustained governmental operations and the political gamesmanship involved in something as foundational as national security. As the clock ticks down on this funding ultimatum, keep an eye on whether Democrats can muster enough leverage to get their demands for ICE reforms met, or if Republicans hold firm on maintaining the status quo. Only time will tell which way this KitKat will break.
