Democrats vow to block Homeland Security funding after Minnesota shooting

Geoff Bennett:

The Minneapolis shooting is also having direct consequences on Capitol Hill. Democratic leaders say they're ready to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security and potentially other agencies.

Our congressional correspondent, Lisa Desjardins, joins us now.

Lisa, it's good to see you.

So what are you hearing from members of Congress and is it in any way different from how they have responded in the past?

Lisa Desjardins:

Let's start with Republicans.

Notably, it was different in that very few of them actually responded initially, despite Stephen Miller and others at the White House signaling aggressive messaging.

Instead, we have something almost from another time, neutrality from some and even some concern from other Republicans, like this from Texas Republican Mike McCaul. He wrote: "I am troubled by the events that have unfolded. I believe a thorough investigation is necessary, both to get to the bottom of these incidents, but also," he wrote, "to maintain Americans' confidence in our justice system."

Now, there are many Republicans who also criticize Democrats and say they're to blame for this kind of inciteful atmosphere and tension. Of course, Democrats deny that.

But one example is important to me, the House Oversight chairman, James Comer. He did say Democrats are to blame, but he also is not saying, ICE should double down. He's saying instead maybe ICE should pull back. Here's what he said on FOX Sunday.

Rep. James Comer (R-KY):

The situation's only going to get worse. And I really think that there are so many cities in the United States that have issues with criminal illegals, that I think they would be -- they would be better received in other cities. I hope that's something they're talking about doing right now, because Minneapolis isn't the only city.

Lisa Desjardins:

That reads to me as looking for a way out. Most notably, there are Republicans who are calling for hearings now.

One, look at this letter from Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. He's saying he wants a hearing in the next two weeks or so.

As for Democrats, I have spoken to so many. They're as incensed and also focused, as I have seen them, especially on ICE. They do not want any ICE funding to go through without changes. And indeed that funding is up for a vote potentially this week. Here's what Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, wrote on Twitter. He said that Democrats will not provide the votes needed for that.

What's that mean? Well, that funding is attached to a bunch of other agencies too. So we could be in for a shutdown.

Geoff Bennett:

And the shutdown would affect far more than DHS.

Lisa Desjardins:

Yes, let's take a look here.

These are the agencies that are part of this funding package. These are some of the biggest agencies in government, defense, HHS, transportation housing, in all, about 70 percent of the funding that Congress controls. Democrats want to pull out the HHS part of it and deal with that separately.

But my reporting is, Republicans so far are denying that. They say Trump can have executive actions to curb ICE. Well, you won't be surprised to hear that Democrats don't trust that. They want a legislative fix here, and we really are heading toward a potential shutdown.

Geoff Bennett:

And, separately, Lisa, amid all of this, there was a Democratic member of Congress who was assaulted this past weekend, and the assailant shouted racist remarks? Tell us about that.

Lisa Desjardins:

We're talking about Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost. He was at an event in Utah on Friday, and he announced he was punched in the face and that the assailant, he said, said: "Trump will deport you."

Someone has been arrested in this case.

Geoff Bennett:

Lisa Desjardins, our thanks to you, as always.

Lisa Desjardins:

You're welcome.