Democrats Say GOP Funding Plan for Homeland Security Doesn’t Deliver Needed Changes

Schumer and Jeffries say DHS funding must include major limits on ICE and that Republicans will be to blame for any shutdown. DHS funding will lapse on Feb. 13.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) speaks during a press conferece on Capitol Hill on Feb. 9, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

Leading Democrats in Congress said Thursday that a White House proposal under review for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding falls short of the “dramatic changes” Democrats want in order to curb Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said they believe any shutdown would be the Republicans’ responsibility because they currently control the White House and Congress.