DHS funding talks in limbo after Trump calls on GOP to link bill to SAVE America Act
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Senate negotiations to end the 38-day Department of Homeland Security shutdown faced setbacks after President Trump urged Republicans to withhold any deal until the SAVE America Act, a controversial elections bill, is passed.
- The SAVE America Act requires proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo ID to cast ballots, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged insufficient votes and called the president's demand a "wrinkle" in the talks.
- The shutdown has caused staffing shortages and long security lines at airports, prompting the administration to deploy ICE agents to assist TSA, though Democrats have offered to fund TSA and other DHS agencies excluding immigration enforcement.
- Some Republicans, including Sen. John Kennedy and Majority Leader Thune, have shown openness to funding non-ICE components of DHS separately, while Democrats insist on serious negotiations and criticize Trump for undermining talks.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned Trump's interference, emphasizing Democrats' readiness to negotiate and accusing the White House of canceling a meeting due to the president's behavior.
