Congress yet to reach agreement on DHS funding bill
WASHINGTON (CBS, KYMA) - Congress has until midnight to pass a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, but lawmakers have already left town without reaching a deal on reforms to immigration enforcement.
While much of the government is already funded, key agencies remain in limbo.
After struggling through a record government shutdown just a few months ago, TSA agents are among those bracing for yet another partial lapse in funding.
"Not being able to come home with a paycheck, it puts a toll on you, and not only on your on your stress level, but on your spirit," said Robert Echeverria, a TSA worker.
The TSA is one of the agencies under DHS that would be impacted once the midnight deadline hits, along with FEMA and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Lawmakers left Capitol Hill Thursday for a week-long recess, unless they can reach an agreement on ICE reforms.
For now, both sides continue to point fingers.
"Ask the republicans. They're the ones holding this up. We're on the side of the American people," said Minority Senate Leader Chuck Schumer.
"What they're going to do is shut down FEMA, Coast Guard, TSA and things that hurt real people," said Speaker Mike Johnson.
The White House and Senate Democrats have led the negotiations, and while they've swapped proposals this week, Democrats call the offers unserious but haven't elaborated any further.
GOP lawmakers have said one of the big sources of disagreement remains democrats pushing for ice agents to obtain judicial warrants, before entering private property, as well prohibiting masks.
