By Morgan Rimmer, Sarah Ferris, Annie Grayer, CNN
(CNN) – After several weeks of deadlock – and increasing airport delays across the country – leaders from both parties are rushing to strike a deal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security, although it’s still uncertain if they can reach an agreement.
A meeting on Capitol Hill Friday night – the second day of discussions – shows that Republicans and the White House are looking for a quick resolution to this escalating political situation. Democrats kept quiet as they left the meeting, but one prominent GOP leader indicated that more talks would happen in the next few days.
Several Republicans shared after leaving that their party had improved its latest proposal to Democrats, though they did not disclose how the White House planned to meet Democrats’ requests regarding new immigration enforcement limits.
There has been growing frustration on both sides about how to resolve this ongoing standoff over the shutdown since Democrats have so far rejected GOP proposals related to ICE tactics as insufficient.
However, lawmakers want to finalize a deal within the week before Congress goes on an extended spring break, faced with constant reports of long airport lines and dwindling FEMA funds.
A brief meeting Friday evening involving White House border chief Tom Homan and bipartisan Senate appropriators ended quickly, with Democrats departing without speaking to reporters less than an hour after it began.
Republicans at the gathering stated that Democrats didn’t appear upset when they left, and Homan remarked, “Discussions are continuing; we need to get the government back open.”
A Democratic source familiar with the discussions noted, “It was a productive meeting, but there’s a ways to go to secure the significant reforms that Democrats have laid out for weeks and that are necessary to earn the support of the Democratic caucus.”
Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins told reporters, “The White House has added to its offer,” describing this latest version as a “very fair, reasonable offer,” without providing details. Collins also mentioned that they’re now waiting for a counteroffer from Democrats.
When asked if another meeting would take place Saturday, Collins replied, “I certainly hope so,” but noted it depends on what Democrats decide. She added she felt like their previous meeting could have lasted longer.
GOP Sen. Katie Britt called their conversation “productive,” adding “we built off of conversations yesterday which is positive.”
“I think we need to work through the weekend to achieve a result or figure out a pathway forward,” she stated.
Up until now, Democrats have remained firm in their stance that they won’t fund DHS without definite changes in federal law aimed at preventing incidents like those seen in Minneapolis earlier this year. They argue that the White House isn’t making any genuine concessions.
Sen. Jacky Rosen, a centrist Democrat, insisted earlier on Friday that she wouldn’t change her position until real proposals come from the White House – showing that her party is standing strong on its demands.
“You’ve seen the offers they sent back. ‘We’ll be glad to uphold current law.’ Well, that’s great. That’s no negotiation. ‘We’ll be glad to follow the Fourth Amendment where we think we should.’ Oh, you suddenly realize we have a bill of rights? Thank you for saying you’ll enforce it through executive action. That’s not negotiation,” she told CNN ahead of Friday night’s gathering.
Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock – who represents Atlanta’s major airport experiencing some of worst delays due to shutdown – made it clear he wouldn’t relent on Democratic demands concerning ICE operations.
“I don’t know why Republicans insist on holding federal workers hostage by demanding TSA workers pay for an unaccountable paramilitary force on our streets. It’s unconscionable,” Warnock said.
When asked if he’d support short-term funding amidst ongoing ICE negotiations, Warnock responded he wouldn’t vote just “to continue status quo.”
Sen. Chris Murphy mentioned before Friday’s meeting that one big hurdle is Republicans’ reluctance to compromise.
“We haven’t received any real meaningful offers from them yet despite giving them reasonable priorities,” Murphy stated.
Murphy along with other Democrats proposed an alternative funding plan aimed at restoring federal dollars for TSA and FEMA among others – excluding immigration enforcement entirely.
But Republicans dismissed this idea outright; multiple GOP senators told CNN they’d only back legislation fully funding DHS instead of piecemeal allocations for agencies alone.
“No way am I defunding police; I’m not cutting ICE,” Florida Senator Rick Scott told CNN when questioned about supporting funding only for TSA while neglecting entire department needs. “I’m not going down that road.”
Democrats contend immigration agencies like ICE and Customs and Border Protection don’t require immediate cash influxes right now; they’ve already received ample funds last year through massive domestic policy legislation.
“ICE got $75 billion allocated through one large bill last year; they’re fine financially,” Warnock stated emphatically.“Let’s prioritize TSA funding now.”
GOP Senator John Kennedy expressed he’d only consider backing such Democratic initiatives under condition all Republicans concurred immediately afterward using special budget methods called reconciliation enabling pushing through own proposed funding measures targeting ICE specifically.
“I think it makes sense doing both concurrently-first approve TSA then enact reconciliation addressing our desired policies regarding ICE,” Kennedy commented.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2026 Cable News Network , Inc., A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN’s Veronica Stracqualursi And Isa Mudannayake Contributed To This Report.
Source link
