Thune Calls Democrats ‘Afraid of Their Shadows’ on DHS Fight (1)

Senate Majority Leader John Thune accused Democratic Congressional leaders of being “afraid of their shadows,” escalating tensions between the parties ahead of a looming deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

The leadership disagreements make already challenging negotiations even more difficult as lawmakers try to land an immigration enforcement deal before DHS funding runs out at the end of next week. The two parties are still far apart on Democrats’ demands for changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters Wednesday Congress might need a full-year continuing resolution to fund the department after the House passed a short-term funding patch through Feb. 13. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) voted against that stopgap and said he wouldn’t support another short-term CR. Thune said he didn’t see Jeffries as a good faith partner and said it seems he doesn’t want to make a deal.

“Both are afraid of their shadows, and they’re getting a lot of blowback and pressure from their left,” Thune said of Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Schumer has repeatedly faced criticism from the liberal wing of his party over shutdown negotiations.

Read More: Jeffries Rules Out Another Homeland Security Stopgap Bill

Thune said he hadn’t received Democrats’ offer on DHS as of Wednesday morning, calling that an indication that the minority is still trying to figure out what they want to do. He said the White House will have to be involved in the talks, and that there might need to be a full-year continuing resolution because he didn’t see much evidence Democrats “want to play ball on this.”

“Any time they’re negotiating anyway with the Trump administration, their base has a meltdown, and these guys seem to be very, very afraid of that,” Thune said.

Schumer and Jeffries, in a joint press conference Wednesday, said they and their party were unified around demands for immigration enforcement changes.

Schumer said Democrats would submit legislation with their proposals within the next 24 hours, and would await a GOP response. He reiterated their demands for no rogue roving patrols, proper oversight, and no secret police.

“If they’re not serious and they don’t put in real reform, they shouldn’t expect our votes,” Schumer said.

They also fired back at the GOP leaders’ negotiating positions. Jeffries said Democrats are ready to negotiate in good faith, but that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) “has articulated unrealistic positions.”

”Mike Johnson and John Thune aren’t working for the American people. They’re working for Donald Trump,” Jeffries said.

The frayed relations indicate trouble ahead of next week’s Friday deadline.

“What I smell coming is a long, long shutdown for DHS,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said.