The ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has reached its second month, leaving travelers stranded in massive security lines and lawmakers facing tough questions about the stalemate’s effectiveness.
During a Tuesday appearance on CNN’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins, Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders struggled to identify any concrete achievements resulting from the funding halt, which was initiated by Democrats to push for specific immigration reforms.
When Collins asked point-blank if the party had achieved anything through the shutdown, Sanders shifted the focus to policy critiques.
“They try to make the point that ICE is out of control. ICE is out of control and it needs fundamental reforms,” Sanders said. When pressed further on whether that point had actually been made effectively to the public, he responded, “Well, you’ll have to judge that. I think they’re trying very hard.”
READ: No Pay, No Plane: Florida Sen. Moody Aims To Ground Senators’ Travel During Shutdowns
The fallout from the funding freeze has hit American infrastructure hard. Hundreds of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents have resigned after weeks without a paycheck, leading to a staffing crisis that has raised alarms regarding counter-terrorism and general aviation safety.
To mitigate the shortage, the Trump administration has deployed ICE agents to several major airports to assist with security screenings.
The shutdown began as a push for new mandates on ICE operations, including requirements for warrants before entering private property, the visible display of identification during raids, a ban on masks for agents, and an end to racial profiling.
These demands gained momentum following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during January protests in Minneapolis.
While the Democratic caucus has largely remained united in the standoff, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has broken ranks.
Fetterman was the sole Democrat to support a full-year appropriations bill to end the shutdown. He has also been a vocal critic of his colleagues for allowing federal workers to rely on food pantries, and he signaled support for Elon Musk’s recent offer to personally fund TSA salaries until the government resumes payments.
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