Congress faces DHS funding deadline with week to reach deal

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Congress has just over a week to reach a bipartisan deal or funding will lapse for the Department of Homeland Security, with the impact affecting agencies including the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

With DHS funding negotiations between Republicans and Democrats continuing in the Senate, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Gray Media’s White House correspondent Jon Decker of serious consequences if no agreement is reached by the Feb. 13 deadline.

“There will be grave repercussions for all of those agencies. But more importantly, frankly, for the American people who those agencies serve,” Leavitt said..

Leavitt said President Donald Trump wants to avoid a funding lapse to keep DHS operational and protect the homeland, secure the border and ensure Coast Guard and Secret Service personnel continue receiving paychecks.

“We want the Department of Homeland Security, of course, to be up and operationalized and continuing as necessary to protect our homeland, to secure our border, to ensure the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard are getting paid, the brave men and women of the United States Secret Service who protect the president, the Vice president, and frankly, all of you in this building every day continue to receive the paychecks that they so well deserve,” she said.

Democrats want to tighten rules governing warrants and require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to coordinate with state and local law enforcement. They are also insisting federal agents must be prohibited from wearing masks in most circumstances.

When White House correspondent Jon Decker asked about Democratic proposals the White House considers nonstarters, Leavitt declined to specify details.

“There are a few, and it’s a very good question, but I won’t negotiate from the podium. I know the white House will be engaged in direct, serious talks with Democrats on this important matter,” she said.

Should no deal be reached by next Friday, Republicans already have a “Plan B.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said he’s already thinking about proposing another stopgap funding bill for DHS, possibly for the rest of this fiscal year, which ends September 30.