Democrats decline a new GOP proposal to fund DHS, keeping partial shutdown in effect

A congressional impasse over DHS funding ground on Wednesday, as Democrats declined a new Republican offer to separate immigration enforcement and removal operations from most of the DHS budget.

A congressional impasse over DHS funding ground on Wednesday, as Democrats declined to take Republicans up on a new offer to separate immigration enforcement and removal operations from the other budget needs of the Department of Homeland Security.

The proposal would have funded most other operations under DHS while negotiations continue over ICE policies.

Democrats said the deal did not meet enough of the core demands they have outlined since the funding fight began, such as requiring agents to carry identification, and prohibiting enforcement raids on certain locations like schools and churches.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who had brokered the deal with the White House and with Democrats on Capitol Hill , expressed frustration to reporters.

"What [Democrats] just did is they pulled out of a deal they negotiated. This needs to end. The country is at high risk," Sen. Graham said. "I don't know what's driving this train. I don't know who's driving this train, but they're driving the country off a cliff here. I try to work across party lines when it makes sense. I have never been more worried about the consequences of this continuing, not only for the inconvenience to the public, which is real and enormous, but for those who are working without pay who have got to be dead tired."