Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) had a heated exchange with ABC News host John Kahl on Sunday, focusing on the Democrats’ efforts regarding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amid a partial government shutdown that has lasted for 44 days. The shutdown has significantly affected DHS, with Democrats insisting on stricter reforms for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a condition for funding.
Kahl pressed Van Hollen about the “finish line,” pointing out that DHS still lacks funding while Congress is on recess. He referred to a statement from Van Hollen that suggested Republicans had “finally relented.” Kahl questioned what Democrats had really achieved during this prolonged shutdown.
“When the Senate passed that bill, it felt like a turning point, but what did Democrats gain from this prolonged shutdown?” Kahl asked, probing further into the consequences of the standoff.
In response, Van Hollen expressed that Democrats are advocating for full funding of the TSA to reduce airport delays, but he labeled ICE’s operations as “lawless,” insisting on the need for reform.
Kahl pointedly remarked on the apparent contradiction: “You’ve blocked funding for DHS due to issues with ICE. However, ICE still has the money from last year’s budget, meaning the shutdown mainly impacts other areas.” Van Hollen countered, accusing Kahl of making “false statements” regarding the withholding of DHS funds.
Van Hollen reiterated that while they support funding for TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard, they’re unwilling to allocate another $10 billion to ICE on top of what it currently receives for what he termed “lawless activities.” Kahl responded that by holding out against the extra funds for ICE, Democrats were effectively stalling the entire DHS budget.
In the midst of this exchange, Van Hollen insisted, “We’ve been clear about our stance; we’re not going to support that.” The conversation highlighted the tension surrounding funding extensions, especially with the House recently passing a temporary funding measure for DHS.
However, this funding extension could face challenges in the Senate, as anything proposed would require a minimum of 60 votes to pass, meaning some Democratic support is necessary. Despite the hurdles, House Republican leaders remain steadfast in rejecting the Senate’s deal and are advocating for a new DHS funding proposal to resolve the shutdown.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) emphasized the importance of addressing the situation, stating, “We can’t leave such critical government institutions divided and inactive.” His comments reflected the urgency felt among House leadership as they navigate the complexities of the funding crisis.
