|
For most members of Congress, it’s enough for them to “vote their conscience,” to give their sincere beliefs and make the best decision for their constituents. But leadership is different. It’s not quite enough to make the right vote if you have the power to bring your entire caucus along and make strategic decisions that can affect whether something will pass, or not. Hakeem Jeffries is voting his conscience on ICE funding today, but will not take that second step of leadership, and that’s my story. |
|
–David Dayen, executive editor |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Bryan Dozier/NurPhoto via AP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) announced in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday that he would oppose the bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the rest of the fiscal year. But the Democratic caucus is not engaged in a formal whip operation to encourage all members to vote against the bill, which is likely to get a vote today.
Two congressional sources told the Prospect that Jeffries and his leadership team were “recommending” a no vote, but that is different from a whip operation where Democratic Whip Rep. Katherine Clark and her deputies push members to support the leadership position on the bill. Several frontline Democrats in swing seats are expected to vote in favor of the appropriation.
“They’re terrified of being labeled anti–law enforcement,” said a Hill source tracking the legislation. “They want this to go away so they can talk about the cost of living more. Problem is, it’s not going away.”
Public polling shows plurality support for abolishing ICE entirely, including substantial support from self-described Democrats. Trump’s handling of immigration is sharply negative. Americans are clearly frustrated with the brutality from ICE that they are seeing in the media. Democrats are frustrated too, but not quite enough to do much about it.
|
| Continue reading this story |
|
|
|
|
|
