Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) is facing increased scrutiny from his party following his decision to support funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), despite growing calls from fellow Democrats for reforms to the agency. This move has sparked questions about party unity as Congress approaches a key spending vote.
Fetterman’s statement on Monday came amid growing pressure from Pennsylvania’s Democratic members in the U.S. House of Representatives. These lawmakers are urging Fetterman and fellow Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick (R) to vote against the DHS funding bill unless it includes changes to the practices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies under DHS. The Democratic lawmakers sent a formal letter to Fetterman and McCormick, emphasizing the need for reforms that they argue are necessary to balance national security and civil liberties.
The letter, delivered on Tuesday, was spearheaded by Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), whose district includes parts of Allegheny County. Along with Deluzio, other Pennsylvania Democratic representatives including Reps. Brendan Boyle, Dwight Evans, Madeleine Dean, Mary Gay Scanlon, Chrissy Houlahan, and Summer Lee signed the letter.
The lawmakers expressed concerns about ICE’s operations, particularly in relation to recent controversial actions, and urged Fetterman to reject the funding bill unless it includes measures to hold ICE accountable. Rep. Boyle, in particular, has been vocal in his criticism of ICE, calling it “lawless” and “out of control.”
Fetterman acknowledged his concerns with some of ICE’s tactics, particularly in Minneapolis, but rejected the calls for a government shutdown over the issue. He made it clear that he would not vote to shut down the government, particularly the Defense Department, as part of the debate over DHS funding.
“I will never vote to shut our government down, especially our Defense Department,” Fetterman said. He pointed out that even without new funding, ICE would still receive resources from previous appropriations, such as the $178 billion allocated to the agency through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Fetterman also indicated that while he supports some reforms to ICE, he is not in favor of defunding the agency entirely. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach to the DHS appropriations bill, which may involve further discussions, but he expressed doubts that significant changes would come from those conversations.
Senator McCormick, who supports continued funding for Border Patrol and ICE, has called for an investigation into the recent death of protester Alex Pretti, which involved DHS enforcement actions in Minneapolis. McCormick’s position reflects the division within the party, as some Democrats push for reforms, while others remain supportive of ICE’s broader enforcement functions.
The Senate is expected to vote on the DHS funding bill soon, and the outcome could influence future debates about ICE and other agencies under DHS. Lawmakers are working to resolve their differences ahead of the vote, and Fetterman’s position will continue to play a significant role in shaping the discussion.
“Funding without adequate reform risks endorsing current approaches that undermine public safety and due process,” the House Democrats concluded in their letter. “We urge you to vote against the bill unless meaningful changes are made to ensure accountability within DHS and its agencies.”