What’s in the bipartisan Senate deal to avert a shutdown, and temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security

Amna Nawaz:

Well, senators are racing to find a solution, as the federal government is once again on the verge of a partial shutdown. This time, there is hope for bipartisan agreement on the key issue: the conduct of ICE and other DHS officers.

Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins has been following this and is here with the latest.

So, Lisa, one day into another partial lockdown, where are things at?

Lisa Desjardins:

We have news. We have breaking news, indeed.

According to multiple sources, there is a deal on the table now between Republicans and Democrats. As I’m talking to you, what’s happening in the United States Senate, they’re going through a process called the “hotline,” and that means in particular Republican senators, they’re agreeing to have a quick vote on all of this as soon as tonight.

So let’s talk about the contents of this potential deal, first and foremost. Well, now, this would fund the five relevant agencies that need funding, all except DHS, to get full funding for the rest of the fiscal year. DHS will be taken out and will get two weeks of funding instead, which is a short-term funding deal for DHS for two weeks.

This would buy time for lawmakers to reach a potential agreement on the conduct of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. Now, this is a breakthrough. I’m told the White House has been part of these negotiations the whole time, so we believe the president is involved as well.

But there are still issues before that. This is not necessarily easy. First, some Senate Republicans have concerns, and are skeptical about the spending, including earmarks, in this package and how ICE will be handled. In addition, there is Speaker Johnson. His office assures me that it has concerns about this short-term homeland security fix.

And now, at the same time, the council has not yet met, Amna. I don’t need to remind you and our viewers, but I will. The deadline is tomorrow. So all this needs approval not only by the Senate, but also by the House of Representatives.

So let’s imagine the best case scenario. The Senate approves this deal tonight. That’s still unconfirmed, but tonight or tomorrow. The House has yet to do so. So, for now, we will have a partial government shutdown, at least through the weekend. We don’t know how much further than that. It depends a lot on when the House can come back and whether this deal gets through the Senate.

Amna Nawaz:

Well, there is a possible deal, and some signs of hope, but there is still a possible partial closure over the weekend.

Show us what that looks like.

Lisa Desjardins:

Yes, let’s remind people, first of all, Congress has already approved funding for itself, for parks and a slew of agencies, but 70% of what it governs is still waiting for funding.

So let’s take a look at what exactly that means. That’s the list, a lot of the big agencies, Homeland Security, Defense, Department of Health and Human Services. The hope, of course, is that most of these projects will be funded and, once again, DHS will be taken out of the package to pay its own bill.

What does the partial closure mean for internal security? You might be surprised. ICE, for example, is already funded. So is CBP due to the significant increase in funding that occurred last summer. What about other parts of homeland security? Look at that. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has reserves. TSA, as well as the Coast Guard, those agents, and the people who work at those agencies are getting paid through February 13th.

So what’s the end result here? It is good news for these agencies that any closure for a weekend or more will have little impact on closure. But this takes pressure off lawmakers, but it’s important for all of these agencies to know where they stand.

Amna Nawaz:

Meanwhile, Lisa, you’ve reported on the shift you’ve heard among senators about working toward an agreement. This is a major shift for the White House, as President Trump wants to work toward a settlement and agreement. What is your report on the cause?

Lisa Desjardins:

And that brings us back to other times, where you would see the White House engaged and kind of open to compromise in a way that we haven’t seen from the current Trump administration.

Yes, I think the reality on the ground is important, the videos of the Americans and how they are treated, especially Alex Peretti. And today, I think we’ve heard about the — from the Democrats’ constitutional questions. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries floated the idea that search and seizure protections were at stake and affected Republicans as well.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York):

These extremists appear to believe that the Fourth Amendment does not apply to DHS enforcement activities. They have lost their minds. And the American people know that.

Lisa Desjardins:

Now, where we are tonight, of course, is that we are hoping for this deal or a lot of those on board want this deal for financing. If they get this deal, we’ll have a two-week conversation about what should happen with ICE and DHS themselves.

We know this is going to be a difficult conversation again.

Amna Nawaz:

Thank you so much, Lisa, and a very happy birthday to you too on this day.

Lisa Desjardins:

Oh, thank you very much.

Amna Nawaz:

Lisa Desjardins.

Lisa Desjardins:

It’s a Christmas miracle.

(He laughed)