Some Republican lawmakers added pressure on their Democratic colleagues to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Saturday following strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran earlier in the day, citing possible retaliation by Iran or its proxies.
Why It Matters
Democrats in the Senate have insisted on changes to how federal agents conduct immigration enforcement after the killing of two American citizens—Alex Pretti and Renée Nicole Good—in Minneapolis in January.
However, Republicans have balked at some of those demands, including one where agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operate without masks, which they contend would lead to doxing—potentially endangering agents or their families. Other demands have included an end to roving patrols in cities, agents wearing visible identification, body cameras kept activated, and an enforceable code of conduct that allows for accountability when rules are violated.
With the strikes on Iran, Democrats may now feel more pressure to compromise in some areas.
What Happened in Iran?
The U.S. and Israeli strikes on Saturday morning struck multiple targets in Iran, killing at least 200 people, and injuring over 740, according to Iran’s Red Crescent, per state television. The death toll is expected to grow as more reports come in, with the number of people reportedly killed at a girl’s school in southern Iran exceeding 85 people, per the local governor. The Islamic Republic then launched retaliatory strikes across U.S. bases in the Middle East, widening the conflict.
The attacks mark a sharp escalation following recent nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran and raise the risk of a wider regional conflict. President Donald Trump said the strikes were intended to cripple Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities and urged Iranians to overthrow their leaders once the operation ends. The president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes.
Beyond Khamenei, Israel said its strikes killed the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran’s defense minister, and the secretary of the Iranian Security Council—effectively decimating the upper tier of the Islamic Republic’s military and security leadership. U.S. military targets included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
What To Know
Federal funding for DHS lapsed on February 14, with more than 260,000 DHS employees being required to continue working, often without pay, as they are considered “essential.” The department is operating under a partial shutdown, with some essential services continuing but others curbed or paused. On Friday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both New York Democrats, said they had received a White House counteroffer to end the shutdown and were considering it.
“Democrats remain committed to keep fighting for real reforms to rein in ICE and stop the violence,” the two said in a joint statement.
Representative Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, wrote on X on Saturday: “Given the situation in the Middle East and the potential for Iran and its terrorist proxies to attempt some type of attack, it is imperative that @SenSchumer and @RepJeffries immediately drop all opposition to funding the Department of Homeland Security and pass the funding bill.”
Meanwhile, Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, shared Lawler’s post, and wrote, “Whose side are you on @SenSchumer and @RepJeffries?”
Senator Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican, made his own argument, posting to X: “Senate Democrats have held up critical funding for the Department of Homeland Security for political gain. At a moment when those who protect our nation need our full support, Democrats are stopping them from getting paid. The Coast Guard, TSA, Secret Service, and cybersecurity divisions should be allowed to do their jobs with pay to protect the American people from terrorist threats in the Middle East and other bad actors around the globe. It’s time to put the safety of Americans first and pass funding for DHS.”
What People Are Saying
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, told reporters on Thursday: “It seems like the Democrats have concluded that this may be good politics for them. It’s not for the people whose lives are affected on a daily basis, so we’ll keep pressing to try and get folks to the table.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, told reporters on Wednesday: “All they have to do is agree to our simple ideas that every police department—just about—in America follows, and we’ll get it all done.”
Representative Andrew Garbarino, a New York Republican and chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, in a statement on Saturday: “The Iranian regime is the world’s top state sponsor of terrorism and has been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans. The regime has plotted to assassinate President Trump, financed and executed terrorist attacks across the globe, and targeted dissidents on U.S. soil. I’m grateful for our service-members who are keeping our country safe.”
He added: “As Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, my priority remains protecting the safety and security of the American people. As we face a heightened threat landscape, it is more important now than ever that we fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. We cannot afford delays. We must ensure DHS is operating at maximum readiness to prevent and respond to threats against our homeland. America stands with our military. America stands with Israel. And America will always defend what is right.”
What Happens Next
Politico reported on Friday no congressional action is expected until the middle of next week, with the Senate out until Monday and the House not voting until Wednesday.
In regard to Iran, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday that “the heavy and pinpoint bombing” in Iran “will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective” of peace throughout the Mideast and world.
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