The Department of Homeland Security has been shut down for 35 days, marking the longest government closure in U.S. history. Senate Republicans have attempted four times to bring a funding bill to the floor, only to be blocked by Democrats demanding structural reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said in an interview with Fox News Digital that Senate Democrats are not driving the negotiations, but rather responding to pressure from their progressive base.
"The Democrats up here on the Hill are so afraid of their far-left base," Thune said. "And I think the far-left base, their demand right now, is defund ICE, defund law enforcement, which is not, by any stretch, a reasonable position."
What the Right Is Saying
Thune accused Democratic leadership of issuing what he called a "paternalistic" edict preventing rank-and-file members from negotiating with Republicans.
"My impression is, at least up until now, that the edict has gone out from the paternalistic Democrat fathers that none of their children should be talking to Republicans about how to solve this problem in a way that gets them actual reforms in place," Thune said.
The Republican leader argued Democrats are benefiting politically from the shutdown and called their position unreasonable. "So it seems to me, at least they are — these guys — they are running scared," he continued. "They, I think, believe they benefit politically from this."
Thune is expected to bring another bill to reopen DHS to the floor on Friday, with Republicans anticipating another Democratic blockade. The White House has publicly disclosed its concessions in an effort to pressure Democrats to accept a deal.
What the Left Is Saying
Senate Democrats have repeatedly blocked Republican attempts to reopen DHS, holding out for what they describe as meaningful reforms to ICE enforcement practices. The demands include changes to how agents operate in the field and greater accountability measures.
Negotiations had stalled for weeks, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his caucus remaining quiet on the latest White House offer. When Democrats finally responded, the White House deemed their counterproposal "unserious."
On Thursday, a group of Democratic negotiators met for the first time with Senate Republicans and border czar Tom Homan. Several Democrats who attended, including Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., declined to comment on the discussion.
When asked if lawmakers were any closer to a deal, Murray simply said: "No."
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who attended the meeting, expressed cautious optimism. "Unfortunately, the Democrats' list of demands keeps growing and growing, and that makes it difficult," she said. "But the group that was in there is operating in good faith, and I hope we'll get together again very soon."
What the Numbers Show
The DHS shutdown has now lasted 35 days, surpassing all previous government closures in U.S. history. The shutdown affects multiple agencies critical to national security and emergency management.
Airport lines have stretched for several blocks as TSA officers and other DHS employees work without pay. The shutdown coincides with heightened concerns about terrorist threats following recent developments in the Iran conflict.
Senate Republicans have attempted four separate votes to reopen the department, each blocked by Senate Democrats. The Save America Act remains the focal point of ongoing negotiations.
The Bottom Line
The 35-day DHS shutdown represents an unprecedented stalemate in federal funding negotiations. Republicans argue Democrats are held hostage by progressive demands that are politically untenable, while Democrats maintain their position that ICE reforms must be included in any funding bill.
Thursday's meeting between Democratic negotiators and Republicans marked the first direct dialogue in weeks, leading Thune to suggest "even more movement" toward a potential breakthrough. However, both sides remain far apart on core demands.
What to watch: Whether Democrats accept any Republican offer that does not include structural ICE changes, and whether pressure from unpaid airport workers and national security concerns forces a resolution before the shutdown reaches day 40.