Republican senators in the United States are moving forward with legislation that would allocate an additional $10 billion to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. This decision comes in the wake of a tragic incident in Minneapolis where intensive-care nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed by a federal agent, a killing captured on video from multiple angles. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
Senator Pete Ricketts from Nebraska expressed unwavering support for ICE funding, stating, “My support for funding ICE remains the same.” His sentiments were echoed by other Republican lawmakers as they prepare to vote on a series of six government appropriations bills, which were previously approved by the House of Representatives. Senator Mike Lee from Utah emphasized, “We’re not defunding ICE. Live with it.”
A Republican aide indicated that funding for the government is set to expire at the end of the week, and there is a strong determination among Republicans to avoid a government shutdown. “We will move forward as planned and hope Democrats can find a path forward to join us,” the aide told Punchbowl News.
Funding Details and Political Reactions
The proposed legislation would allocate $64.4 billion in taxpayer money to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the contentious $10 billion for ICE. Critics highlight that ICE is already funded more lavishly than many national militaries. In a previous cycle, congressional Republicans and former President Donald Trump approved $170 billion in new funding for immigration enforcement, which has led to significant increases in the agency’s spending on weapons.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer from New York reportedly has enough votes to block the DHS funding bill. Senate Democrats are advocating for the separation of the DHS legislation from the broader appropriations bills to address potential issues surrounding ICE and to prevent a looming shutdown on January 30, 2024.
Senator Patty Murray of Washington, who plays a key role in the Senate’s appropriations process, has firmly stated her opposition to the DHS bill as it currently stands. She argued, “Federal agents cannot murder people in broad daylight and face zero consequences.” Murray called for accountability and insisted that any additional funding for DHS be removed from the current spending bill.
In her remarks, Murray emphasized that blocking the DHS funding bill would not necessarily shut down ICE, which she noted has a substantial reserve of funds. “ICE is now sitting on a massive slush fund it can tap, whether or not we pass a funding bill,” she added.
Calls for Accountability and Reform
The aftermath of Pretti’s death has spurred advocates and lawmakers alike to demand significant reforms to ICE. Lisa Gilbert, co-president of the watchdog group Public Citizen, criticized the agency’s budget, saying it “dwarfs most countries’ militaries.” Gilbert urged Congress to reconsider funding for ICE and called for immediate action to address its operations on the streets.
Similarly, Amy Fischer, director for refugee and migrant rights at Amnesty International USA, posed a stark question: “How many more people must die before US leaders act?” She emphasized the urgent decision facing the Senate: whether to continue funding an agency that has been accused of operating without accountability or to take meaningful steps to reform its practices.
With unified support from their caucus, Senate Republicans will require at least seven Democratic votes to pass the funding package that includes the DHS appropriations. Last week, seven House Democrats joined Republicans in approving the DHS funding, signaling potential bipartisan support.
As the Senate prepares to debate these critical funding decisions, the focus remains on the implications of continued support for an agency facing intense scrutiny and calls for reform.
