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Seven Democrats Back ICE Funding as House Passes DHS Bill, Facing Primary Challenges

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House approves $64.4 billion DHS appropriations, allocating roughly $10 billion to ICE. The markup passed 220‑207, with Rep. Thomas Massie the sole Republican opposition, and includes funding for FEMA through September 30 2026 [1][2]. The package keeps ICE’s annual budget essentially flat and adds $20 million for body‑camera purchases for ICE and CBP officers [2][3]. Lawmakers warned that a lapse in DHS funding could disrupt disaster relief and TSA operations, though ICE and CBP would largely continue under existing authorities [1].

Seven Democrats cross party lines to vote for the ICE allocation. Representatives Tom Suozzi, Henry Cuellar, Don Davis, Laura Gillen, Jared Golden, Vicente Gonzalez, and Marie Glusenkamp Perez joined most Republicans in supporting the bill [1][2]. Their votes triggered calls from progressive activists and party leaders for primary challenges in upcoming 2026 elections [1]. Critics argue the votes enable expanded immigration enforcement, while the lawmakers cite concerns about a government shutdown and continuity of essential services [1].

Democratic leadership publicly denounces the DHS bill and ICE funding. Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Pete Aguilar issued a joint statement condemning the use of taxpayer dollars for what they described as “brutal” immigration enforcement [2][3]. They referenced the February 2025 shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis as evidence of harmful ICE practices [3]. Representative Jasmine Crockett warned she would have shut down the markup rather than approve additional ICE money, underscoring intra‑party tension [2].

Oversight measures and body‑camera funding tighten ICE accountability. The legislation requires monthly spending reports and restricts unilateral funding shifts for DHS agencies [3]. It earmarks $20 million for body‑camera equipment and operation for ICE and CBP officers during enforcement actions [2][3]. A provision to repeal senators’ ability to sue over cellphone‑data collection in the Jack Smith investigation was added but later blocked unanimously [2].

Four spending bills totaling about $1.2 trillion move to the Senate with a shutdown deadline. The House sent the package to the Senate by Jan 30 to avoid a partial government shutdown [1][3]. Three of the bills enjoy broad bipartisan support, covering Defense, Education, Transportation, and Health‑Human Services, while the DHS bill remains contested [3]. Senate deliberations will determine whether the ICE funding and oversight provisions survive the final vote [1].

Sources

Timeline

Jan 15, 2026 – The Senate clears a bipartisan three‑bill, $1.2 trillion funding package by a vote of 82‑15, moving the government toward full-year appropriations. Lawmakers still must resolve the Homeland Security portion, where Democrats demand stricter ICE guardrails after the Minnesota shooting that killed a mother during an ICE‑related confrontation. The incident heightens scrutiny of immigration‑enforcement spending and fuels calls for oversight reforms. [4]

Jan 22, 2026 – The House passes the final set of four spending bills, totaling about $1.2 trillion, and sends them to the Senate to meet the deadline that averts a partial shutdown. The Homeland Security bill sails through 220‑207 despite Democratic opposition, while the package adds a 3.8 % pay raise for the military and $20 million for body‑camera equipment for ICE and CBP officers. Democrats invoke the recent Minneapolis shooting of Renee Good—a mother of three killed in an ICE‑linked encounter—to condemn the administration’s deportation policies. The House also inserts a provision that blocks senators from suing the government over cellphone‑data collection in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s January 6 investigation. [3]

Jan 22, 2026 – Ahead of the markup, House Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar issue a joint statement that taxpayer dollars are being “used to brutalize U.S. citizens,” signaling top‑level opposition to the DHS bill. Representative Jasmine Crockett adds she is prepared to shut down the process rather than simply fund more ICE, framing the vote as a test of the party’s immigration stance. [2]

Jan 22 – 23, 2026 – In the House markup, the DHS appropriations bill authorizes roughly $10 billion for ICE and FEMA through Sept. 30 and earmarks $20 million for ICE/CBP body cameras, while requiring monthly spending reports. Seven Democrats—Tom Suozzi, Henry Cuellar, Don Davis, Laura Gillen, Jared Golden, Vicente Gonzalez and Marie Glusenkamp Perez—vote with the majority; Rep. Thomas Massie is the lone Republican to oppose the measure. [2][1]

Jan 23, 2026 – Party activists launch primary challenges against the seven Democrats who backed ICE funding, arguing their votes pave the way for expanded enforcement and betray progressive immigration values. The backlash reflects a hardening Democratic base ahead of the 2026 elections and underscores intra‑party tension over immigration policy. [1]

Jan 23, 2026 – The House warns that a lapse in DHS funding could cripple disaster‑relief operations and TSA functions, even as ICE and CBP would largely continue under existing statutes. The four‑bill package, now totaling about $1.2 trillion, advances to the Senate with a looming deadline to prevent a partial government shutdown. [1]

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