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Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said he expects the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remain tight-lipped over partisan funding as lawmakers remain tight-lipped over important changes. He broke with Democratic Party leaders on the issue, advocating for restrictions and stricter voter ID laws.
“I would have expected it to be closed,” Fetterman said on Sunday Morning Futures.
Without the intervention, DHS funding will expire on Friday after being carved out of a large federal funding package. The shutdown could affect TSA personnel, FEMA operations and border security enforcement.
While Fetterman said he does not support a government shutdown, he admitted he expects Democrats and Republicans to remain divided during the deadline.
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Sen. John Fetterman speaks to reporters as he leaves the Senate chamber at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Jan. 29, 2026, as lawmakers negotiate federal funding to avoid a partial government shutdown. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Democratic lawmakers have pushed for changes to DHS amid national protests and increased scrutiny. In January, DHS immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota left two Americans dead, and both deaths are under investigation.
Democrats sent Republicans a list of proposed reforms that GOP lawmakers rejected. Their demands include a requirement for agents to open, mandatory body cameras and warrants for people’s arrests.
While some Democrats have called for DHS to be disbanded, Fetterman said he supports securing the border and deporting illegal immigrants who commit crimes. He urged his colleagues to focus on their priorities.
“Protect our border… expel all criminals,” he said.
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A Border Patrol Tactical Unit agent sprays pepper spray in the face of a protester who tries to block an immigration officer’s car in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 7, 2026. (Alex Kormann/Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images)
“Those are the most important things that most Americans have signed up for.”
Voter ID is another issue that divides the two parties. Democrats refuse to support the Voter Eligibility for America (SAFE) Act, which would require states to verify voter eligibility.
Republicans say the move will strengthen the integrity of elections, while Democrats say it would make it harder for people without photo ID to vote.
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Sen. John Fetterman speaks to a reporter as he arrives at the US Capitol to vote on December 3rd. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
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Fetterman said voter ID wasn’t “absurd,” and pointed to states like Wisconsin that already have similar protections.
“It’s not a strong idea for ordinary Americans to show their ID to vote,” said Fetterman, who also rejected comparisons to Jim Crow laws.
“I don’t want to vote again to shut down our government,” he added.
