1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to refuse funding for the Department of Homeland Security unless the Sanders amendment to repeal the $75 billion Build Back Better slush fund for ICE is included in the final package. Every Senate Democrat recently voted in favor of this amendment, which would defund ICE by eliminating the $75 billion BBB fund that keeps the agency operational during government shutdowns. While the amendment failed due to Republican opposition, the unified Democratic support demonstrates strong party commitment to this issue. Even Republican Senators Murkowski and Collins crossed party lines to vote yes. The current legislative landscape presents a unique opportunity that did not exist during previous negotiations. The two-week stopgap measure separated DHS funding from the rest of the funding bill, which fundamentally changes the strategic calculus. During the last government shutdown, Democrats had to compromise because SNAP benefits were at risk and children would have gone hungry. That is no longer the case. Critical programs like SSI, NIH funding, Section 8 housing assistance, and Head Start are now protected in separate legislation. This separation means we can push to defund ICE without jeopardizing essential services that millions of Americans depend on. The $75 billion slush fund essentially provides ICE with immunity from budget accountability during shutdowns, allowing the agency to continue operations regardless of broader fiscal negotiations. Repealing this fund would restore proper oversight and ensure that ICE funding faces the same scrutiny as other federal programs. I am asking you to stand firm on this issue and refuse to vote for any DHS funding bill that does not include the Sanders amendment. The political conditions are finally aligned to make meaningful progress on immigration enforcement reform without sacrificing other vital programs. Please use this leverage to ensure the amendment becomes law.