Mike Johnson warned by Jeffries not to count on Democrats' votes to end shutdown

"Democrats are hesitant to vote for the package because it contains a two-week stopgap funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security that lacks reform measures for ICE or Customs and Border Protection. Senate Democrats were split almost evenly on the measure in a Friday night vote, with the 23 Democrats who voted for it facing swift backlash from progressive groups who accused them of essentially voting to fund ICE."

"The intrigue: The two-week extension of DHS funding was negotiated by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and the White House to buy time for Senate talks on ICE reforms - a deal House Democrats are now resisting. Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Greg Casar (D-Texas) said Friday in a post on X: "My Progressive Caucus colleagues and I have been clear: not another cent to ICE until we stop the chaos and the lawlessness." "If this comes to the House, I'm voting no," he added."

"What they're saying: "I've had conversations with Leader Schumer and Mike Johnson, I have had no conversation with the White House," Jeffries told reporters at a press conference Thursday. The Trump administration, he said, "understands that the only group of people that speak for House Democrats are House Democrats." House Democrats are scheduled to have a virtual caucus call Sunday evening, ahead of the House's return on Monday, to discuss the vote."

Jeffries informed Johnson that Democratic votes would not be available to pass the bill in a bipartisan manner. Democrats hesitate because the package includes a two-week DHS funding stopgap without reforms for ICE or Customs and Border Protection. Senate Democrats split nearly evenly on the measure, and 23 Democrats who supported it faced backlash from progressive groups for effectively funding ICE. Schumer and the White House negotiated the two-week extension to buy time for Senate talks on ICE reforms. House Democrats are resisting that deal and scheduled a virtual caucus call before returning to vote. Progressive leaders pledged to oppose further ICE funding without reforms.

Read at Axios