WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Republicans will not negotiate on the issue of warrants for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as a partial government shutdown continues amid a standoff over ICE reforms continues on Capitol Hill.
Thune spoke exclusively with Washington Correspondent Molly Martinez ahead of President Trump’s “State of the Union” address Tuesday. During his speech, Trump challenged Democrats to literally stand up in support of prioritizing American citizens over undocumented immigrants. Democrats did not respond to the prompt, remaining in their seats.
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired nearly two weeks ago and the initial vote in the Senate to restore funding was blocked by the Democrats.
Thune said the White House has put proposals on the table but that Democrats have not shown urgency in reaching a deal.
“I think there are things that the White House has proffered up or put on the table. Democrats, we have to have a willing partner and I haven’t sensed a real urgency on their part,” Thune said. “There are things on which Republicans are not going to give ground, and that is the ability to ensure that those law enforcement officers can operate in a way that’s safe.”
When asked specifically about the warrant issue, Thune said there is little room for compromise.
“I think that there’s probably not a lot of room to negotiate on is this issue of warrants,” he said.
Agencies under the Department of Homeland Security umbrella are primarily impacted by the shutdown, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Transportation Security Administration and border enforcement. Thousands of federal workers remain without pay as negotiations continue.
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