DHS expected to shut down as immigration talks falter

"The Department of Homeland Security, which houses agencies focused on immigration, disaster response and cybersecurity, is on track to shut down Saturday as lawmakers leave town without a funding agreement or a deal that Democrats hope will rein in the conduct of federal immigration officers. After two U.S. citizens were shot dead by immigration officers in Minneapolis, Democrats laid out 10 demands to restrict agents' aggressive tactics as a condition for funding DHS."

"Democrats produced proposed legislative text over the weekend, and the White House responded with a counteroffer Wednesday night, though lawmakers declined to detail its contents. Senate Democrats blocked two Republican-backed measures Thursday to keep the department open, including a short-term funding extension for two weeks as negotiations continue. "Today's strong vote was a shot across the bow to Republicans," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said."

"House and Senate Republican leadership declined to cancel the upcoming weeklong recess. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said lawmakers have been told to be ready to return if a deal is reached, though he indicated that would be unlikely. "I just think at the moment we're not close," Thune told reporters. Democrats and Republicans have already started trading blame for the failure to avert a shutdown."

The Department of Homeland Security faces a potential shutdown Saturday as lawmakers left without a funding agreement or a pact on immigration enforcement reforms. Democrats issued 10 demands to limit aggressive tactics by immigration agents after two U.S. citizens were killed in Minneapolis. Democrats provided proposed legislative text and the White House offered a counterproposal that lawmakers did not detail. Senate Democrats blocked two Republican proposals, including a two-week funding extension. Republican leadership declined to cancel a weeklong recess and lawmakers were told to be prepared to return if a deal is reached. Both parties exchanged blame while leaving room for a possible agreement.

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