1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

Vote no on the DHS budget reconciliation bill. This three-year funding scheme would eliminate congressional oversight of ICE and CBP through 2028, abandoning the annual appropriations process Congress has used since 1789. The bill would massively expand enforcement without accountability. It includes $8 billion to hire 10,000 new ICE employees, 3,000 additional Border Patrol agents, and $45 billion for detention facilities. That creates a combined ICE and CBP force twice the size of the FBI with zero opportunity for reform if abuses occur. We've already seen Trump deploy ICE agents to airports and heard his Deputy Attorney General discuss sending federal agents to polling places. A force this large needs annual review, not a blank check. If Democrats win the House in 2027, they would have no appropriations vehicle to demand reforms until 2028. That's unacceptable. Annual appropriations exist precisely so Congress can attach conditions and require better performance. Three-year funding removes that leverage entirely. The reconciliation process will limit debate to 20 hours with minimal amendment opportunities. Don't let this pass without a fight. DHS needs reform, not expansion without oversight.