Demand more

Democrats demand more from GOP on DHS

Leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries panned a White House counterproposal as too light on details for immigration enforcement guardrails.

Calen Razor

Do we have a negotiation or a stalemate?

The answer to that question will determine whether the Department of Homeland Security shuts down in just four days, and Tuesday morning, it’s not entirely clear which way things are headed.

Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries panned a White House counterproposal sent to them Monday evening as too light on details for how to rein in President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda.

— Dems vs. White House: “The initial GOP response is both incomplete and insufficient in terms of addressing the concerns Americans have about ICE’s lawless conduct,” the leaders said in a statement. “Democrats await additional detail and text.”

That’s far from a “hell no,” but expect to hear more later Tuesday morning on where Democrats stand after Jeffries and Schumer meet with their respective caucuses.

Neither side is saying exactly what the GOP counter to the 10-point Democratic offer entails, but White House allies made clear Monday that one key Democratic demand — requiring federal law enforcement officials to obtain judicial warrants before entering private property — is dead on arrival.

Other Democratic asks — including a mask prohibition, ID display requirements and limits on places where agents can operate — would need major concessions from Democrats to make them palatable for the administration, several people close to the White House said.

But the trading of offers is giving GOP leaders optimism that a deal is possible. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he’ll probably get the ball rolling on a continuing resolution Tuesday to give negotiators more time to strike a deal.

— About that CR: Whether a stopgap can pass depends almost entirely on the tenor of DHS talks come Thursday, when senators are hoping to leave town.

Republicans need at least seven votes from Senate Democrats to prevent a DHS shutdown, and some Senate Democrats continue to signal they could be convinced — if there’s a bona fide negotiation.

“It depends on whether we’re making progress or not,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) told reporters Monday. “We’ve got some time. Hopefully people will be working to try and get something done.”

Also undecided is how long a short-term DHS funding punt might run. GOP appropriators want at least two weeks, but the exact length “will have to be negotiated,” Thune said.