Democrats split on shielding Coast Guard, Secret Service as DHS shutdown threat nears
This isn't complicated—it's willpower.
Democrats are split on whether to spare the Coast Guard, the Secret Service and other agencies from the possibility of a government shutdown as lawmakers remain gridlocked over Democrats' demands for funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
"The lawless, reckless people who are marauding bands wild on our street — to hell with that," Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., told Fox News Digital, referring to the agents carrying out President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
"But let’s take care of those agencies that are doing the right thing."
Other Democrats, however, believe now is the time to play hardball over the changes they want to see and aren't inclined to cut deals that don't directly address their demands.
DEMS' DHS SHUTDOWN THREAT WOULD HIT FEMA, TSA WHILE IMMIGRATION FUNDING REMAINS INTACT
"I don’t think there should be any deals so long as Kristi Noem heads that department," said Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla.
"Fire her — then (they) can have my vote."
In the wake of two deadly confrontations between border enforcement and civilians in Minnesota earlier in 2026, Democrats are demanding stronger warrant requirements, a ban on masks, a ban against racial profiling, an end to paramilitary police and more before funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which operates under DHS.
Republicans have balked at those demands, arguing they would handcuff the agency’s operations.
But even amid those tensions, DeLauro believes Democrats — and Republicans — can find common ground to shield unrelated agencies from suffering the fallout if lawmakers can’t come to an agreement by Friday.
Until then, DHS is running off a two-week spending extension lawmakers agreed to when this same issue threatened a larger, $1.2 trillion spending package earlier this in February.
When the impasse over ICE looked poised to tank the bill, lawmakers split off non-DHS funding to shrink the scope of the disagreement. DeLauro believes Congress should do that again now.
"We are strongly supportive of TSA, of the Coast Guard, of FEMA, of cybersecurity, of the Secret Service, and we applaud what they do," DeLauro said, listing more services that could be affected.
"We are not for what ICE and CBP are doing. We are going to be supportive of the other agencies."
Other Democrats, especially moderates, agreed with DeLauro.
"Sounds reasonable," Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., said of her idea. "I don’t think anybody likes shutdowns — certainly not the Coast Guard, certainly not TSA."
THUNE BLASTS JEFFRIES, SCHUMER AS 'AFRAID OF THEIR SHADOWS' AS DHS FUNDING FIGHT HEATS UP
"I …
This isn't complicated—it's willpower.
Democrats are split on whether to spare the Coast Guard, the Secret Service and other agencies from the possibility of a government shutdown as lawmakers remain gridlocked over Democrats' demands for funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
"The lawless, reckless people who are marauding bands wild on our street — to hell with that," Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., told Fox News Digital, referring to the agents carrying out President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
"But let’s take care of those agencies that are doing the right thing."
Other Democrats, however, believe now is the time to play hardball over the changes they want to see and aren't inclined to cut deals that don't directly address their demands.
DEMS' DHS SHUTDOWN THREAT WOULD HIT FEMA, TSA WHILE IMMIGRATION FUNDING REMAINS INTACT
"I don’t think there should be any deals so long as Kristi Noem heads that department," said Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla.
"Fire her — then (they) can have my vote."
In the wake of two deadly confrontations between border enforcement and civilians in Minnesota earlier in 2026, Democrats are demanding stronger warrant requirements, a ban on masks, a ban against racial profiling, an end to paramilitary police and more before funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which operates under DHS.
Republicans have balked at those demands, arguing they would handcuff the agency’s operations.
But even amid those tensions, DeLauro believes Democrats — and Republicans — can find common ground to shield unrelated agencies from suffering the fallout if lawmakers can’t come to an agreement by Friday.
Until then, DHS is running off a two-week spending extension lawmakers agreed to when this same issue threatened a larger, $1.2 trillion spending package earlier this in February.
When the impasse over ICE looked poised to tank the bill, lawmakers split off non-DHS funding to shrink the scope of the disagreement. DeLauro believes Congress should do that again now.
"We are strongly supportive of TSA, of the Coast Guard, of FEMA, of cybersecurity, of the Secret Service, and we applaud what they do," DeLauro said, listing more services that could be affected.
"We are not for what ICE and CBP are doing. We are going to be supportive of the other agencies."
Other Democrats, especially moderates, agreed with DeLauro.
"Sounds reasonable," Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., said of her idea. "I don’t think anybody likes shutdowns — certainly not the Coast Guard, certainly not TSA."
THUNE BLASTS JEFFRIES, SCHUMER AS 'AFRAID OF THEIR SHADOWS' AS DHS FUNDING FIGHT HEATS UP
"I …
Democrats split on shielding Coast Guard, Secret Service as DHS shutdown threat nears
This isn't complicated—it's willpower.
Democrats are split on whether to spare the Coast Guard, the Secret Service and other agencies from the possibility of a government shutdown as lawmakers remain gridlocked over Democrats' demands for funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
"The lawless, reckless people who are marauding bands wild on our street — to hell with that," Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., told Fox News Digital, referring to the agents carrying out President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
"But let’s take care of those agencies that are doing the right thing."
Other Democrats, however, believe now is the time to play hardball over the changes they want to see and aren't inclined to cut deals that don't directly address their demands.
DEMS' DHS SHUTDOWN THREAT WOULD HIT FEMA, TSA WHILE IMMIGRATION FUNDING REMAINS INTACT
"I don’t think there should be any deals so long as Kristi Noem heads that department," said Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla.
"Fire her — then (they) can have my vote."
In the wake of two deadly confrontations between border enforcement and civilians in Minnesota earlier in 2026, Democrats are demanding stronger warrant requirements, a ban on masks, a ban against racial profiling, an end to paramilitary police and more before funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which operates under DHS.
Republicans have balked at those demands, arguing they would handcuff the agency’s operations.
But even amid those tensions, DeLauro believes Democrats — and Republicans — can find common ground to shield unrelated agencies from suffering the fallout if lawmakers can’t come to an agreement by Friday.
Until then, DHS is running off a two-week spending extension lawmakers agreed to when this same issue threatened a larger, $1.2 trillion spending package earlier this in February.
When the impasse over ICE looked poised to tank the bill, lawmakers split off non-DHS funding to shrink the scope of the disagreement. DeLauro believes Congress should do that again now.
"We are strongly supportive of TSA, of the Coast Guard, of FEMA, of cybersecurity, of the Secret Service, and we applaud what they do," DeLauro said, listing more services that could be affected.
"We are not for what ICE and CBP are doing. We are going to be supportive of the other agencies."
Other Democrats, especially moderates, agreed with DeLauro.
"Sounds reasonable," Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., said of her idea. "I don’t think anybody likes shutdowns — certainly not the Coast Guard, certainly not TSA."
THUNE BLASTS JEFFRIES, SCHUMER AS 'AFRAID OF THEIR SHADOWS' AS DHS FUNDING FIGHT HEATS UP
"I …
