Congressional Spending Disputes Emerge Over ICE Funding and Foreign Policy Concerns

Progressive Democrats are calling for using the upcoming government funding deadline as leverage to defund or restrict Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a controversial shooting in Minnesota. This push highlights growing tensions between different factions within the Democratic Party over immigration enforcement policies and military operations abroad.

The power of the purse represents one of Congress’s most fundamental constitutional authorities. Several liberal lawmakers are now urging party leadership to exercise this power by imposing restrictions on ICE in the next round of government funding. Some have even suggested they would support a government shutdown over the Minnesota incident where an ICE agent shot Renee Good.

Beyond immigration concerns, certain Democrats are also seeking to limit the administration’s military maneuvers related to Venezuela and potential operations in Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, and Greenland. Congress has yet to address funding bills for the Pentagon or State Department for fiscal year 2026.

The immediate challenge comes as funding for nine distinct sections of the federal government expires on January 30, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The House may debate the DHS funding bill in the coming days, coinciding with growing calls from some Democrats to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

“We should use every means at our disposal to do it, including the appropriations process,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) regarding efforts to restrict ICE operations through funding mechanisms.

This week, the House approved a “minibus” spending package covering energy and water programs, the Department of Interior, Commerce and Justice departments, and science programs. The Senate is expected to align with the House on these bills, but Congress will likely need to approve another continuing resolution (CR) to maintain government operations in other areas after January 30.

A continuing resolution would simply extend current funding levels, allowing Congress to approve the spending bills they’ve finalized while avoiding a shutdown by placing everything else under the temporary measure.

However, House and Senate Democratic leadership have decided against pushing for a shutdown during this funding cycle. When questioned about using appropriations to curtail ICE operations, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) avoided directly addressing the issue, stating: “Our focus right now, in terms of the appropriations bill, are getting the three bills that are going to be on the floor today over the finish line, and then we’ll turn to the Homeland Security.”

When pressed further about ICE and DHS funding, Jeffries responded sharply: “No, what I’m focused on right now, Chad, is to make life better for the American people.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) finds himself in a similar position, acknowledging: “I have lots of problems with ICE,” but sidestepping questions about using appropriations as leverage on immigration enforcement or Venezuela policy.

Even Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), a vocal critic of current immigration enforcement policies, provided some room for Democratic leadership on this issue. “They’re responsible for leading an entire caucus that elects members from across their country. So they’re in a different position,” she said of Jeffries and Schumer.

Ocasio-Cortez noted that funding for ICE “exploded virtually overnight, and we are seeing the ramifications of it in terms of the abuse of power that is happening.” She suggested Democrats could pursue cutting ICE funding in a future appropriations cycle.

The tensions within the Democratic Party reflect broader national divisions over immigration enforcement, use of military force abroad, and congressional authority in establishing spending priorities. As the January 30 deadline approaches, lawmakers must balance these competing pressures while avoiding a potentially damaging government shutdown.