GOP framework still ‘best landing spot’ for DHS funding, Thune says

Senate Majority Leader John Thune defended on Wednesday a Department of Homeland Security funding framework as it comes under heavy criticism from Democrats and some conservatives.

“I think it's going to be … still the best landing spot, but we haven't heard anything back from the Dems yet,” Thune said when asked if the framework was still viable.

He added that the best way for the shutdown to end would be for Democrats to “take a deal” but added that he doubted they “have a clear idea about what they want to do or how they see us concluding.”

“But hopefully they want to see it conclude, because we do, too,” he added.

Thune said he spoke Tuesday night with President Donald Trump, who has yet to publicly endorse the framework. Asked if he thought the president supported it, Thune declined to comment.

Republicans offered this week to take funding for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations out of the DHS funding bill that was on offer in January. But Democrats have balked, saying enforcement policy changes would have to be included in a bill that even partially funds ICE.

The Senate is scheduled to begin a two-week recess later this week, but Thune said it was an “open question” whether that happens.

“If we haven’t figured out how to fund the government, then it seems like that really complicates us leaving here,” he said.