President Donald Trump and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) are reportedly close to a deal that could prevent a potential government shutdown.
Senate Eyes Limits On Immigration Agents
The two leaders are weighing new limits on federal immigration agents, with funding for several agencies set to expire early Saturday, reported The New York Times on Thursday.
Senate leaders plan to split Homeland Security funding from a broader six-bill spending package needed to fund the military, health programs, and other federal agencies. The Senate aims to pass the bills before the Friday midnight deadline and may approve a short-term extension for Homeland Security to avoid disruptions to agencies such as the TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA.
The bill proposes new limits on immigration enforcement tactics and increases accountability measures for officers accused of using excessive force, aligning with Democratic demands. These include federal agents enforcing Trump’s deportation campaign, identifying themselves openly without masks, using body cameras, and ending indiscriminate raids along with arrests or searches carried out without warrants.
The stopgap bill would give lawmakers and the White House additional time to negotiate a new homeland security funding measure.
Trump‑Schumer Talks Follow DHS Funding Standoff
The potential deal between Trump and Schumer comes after Senate Democrats, led by Schumer, threatened to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Democrats toughened their position after U.S. Border Patrol agents fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, triggering protests and unrest. Schumer said the incident highlights shortcomings in the current DHS funding bill, arguing it fails to adequately address alleged misconduct by immigration officials.
Meanwhile, Trump, last week, had predicted the possibility of another government shutdown, attributing it to the Democrats’ reluctance to vote for several bills. Earlier this month, Trump reportedly hosted Schumer at the White House to discuss federal funding for New York’s $16 billion Gateway Tunnel Project, extension of expired Affordable Care Act tax credits, and concerns about ICE raids.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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