The NPR Politics Podcast

Episode: How fights over ICE funding are playing out on the Hill and in midterm races
Date: February 6, 2026
Hosts/Reporters: Tamara Keith, Ashley Lopez, Sam Greenglass, Elena Moore

Episode Overview

This episode discusses the contentious debates on Capitol Hill over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with particular focus on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) amidst public outrage after deadly shootings by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis. The hosts explain how these policy standoffs are impacting congressional negotiations and shaping campaign rhetoric ahead of the 2026 midterm elections—especially within the Democratic Party, where calls to "Abolish ICE" are re-emerging. The show explores the political stakes, divides, and public reactions to ICE funding and enforcement, with insights from lawmakers, candidates, and voters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The DHS/ICE Funding Standoff

• Partial Government Shutdown Origins

  • The shutdown was triggered by Democrats refusing additional DHS funding without legal guardrails to prevent aggressive enforcement tactics, following two deadly shootings by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.
  • "They ran out of money. They ran out of time. But then they came together and passed a temporary extension of that Homeland Security funding..." – Tamara Keith (01:05)

• Temporary Compromise & Unresolved Issues

  • Congress passed a short-term funding extension for DHS (until Feb 13), but tensions remain high, as both parties failed to secure their demands in negotiations.
  • "A lot of people aren't happy, right?" – Ashley Lopez (01:52)
  • Republicans want full DHS funding, Democrats wanted stronger reforms on immigration enforcement.

• Negotiation Breakdown

  • Demands lists from Democrats (10 items, including body cams, judicial warrants, transparency) are dismissed by Republicans.
  • Republican Senator Katie Britt referred to Democrats' proposal as "a Christmas list of demands." – paraphrased by Sam Greenglass (03:26)

• No Clear Path to Compromise

  • Minority party resistance and time pressure make meaningful reform before the next deadline unlikely.
  • "They are fighting about the process of negotiating. They aren’t even fighting about the substance." – Tamara Keith (05:05)

2. Political Fallout & Public Perception

• Dissatisfaction in Both Parties

  • Neither side is satisfied, and the lack of resolution is fueling negative perceptions of congressional efficacy.

• Perceptions of Democratic Weakness

  • Swing/independent voters often cite Democratic indecision and the slow response as signs of weakness.
  • "When you hear voters talk about Democrats right now, the word weak comes up so much..." – Ashley Lopez (05:13)

• Potential for More Delays

  • Continued use of continuing resolutions ("kicking the can down the road") is likely.
  • Noted that even if DHS funding lapses, ICE has a surplus from the previous year's appropriation, but other agencies (FEMA, Coast Guard, TSA) would be affected.
  • "ICE has plenty of money, regardless... That is not gonna run out." – Sam Greenglass (05:57)

• Human Impact & Stakeholder Voices

  • The emotional stakes are raised by testimony from victims’ families.
  • "In the last few weeks, our family took some consolation thinking that perhaps Nay’s death would bring about change... And it has not." – Luke Ganger, brother of Renee Macklin Goode (07:08–07:21)

3. Midterms & the Politics of “Abolish ICE”

[08:34–20:17]

• Growing Progressive Pressure

  • Recent incidents have emboldened progressive candidates to call for ICE’s abolition, arguing reforms are not enough.
  • Ex: Darielisa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old organizer challenging Rep. Adriano Espaillat in NYC, is running on an unapologetic "Abolish ICE" platform.
    • "If a candidate can't even bring themselves to say the words 'abolish ICE'... then I think it's time for new leadership." – Darielisa Avila Chevalier (10:53–11:03)

• Generational and Ideological Divides

  • Progressive challengers often represent younger generations pushing incumbents to the left, especially in safe blue seats.
  • This strategy is often rooted in “core beliefs” rather than opportunism, but high-profile events (like Minneapolis shootings) intensify advocacy.

• Mixed Reception & Caution Among Democrats

  • Some polls indicate support for abolishing ICE, especially among base voters.
  • However, moderate Democrats and strategists warn that embracing “Abolish ICE” could harm the party nationally, likening it to the backlash against “Defund the Police.”
    • John Cowan (Third Way) argues the movement could be a “dead end” and distract from holding Republicans and the Trump administration accountable.
      • "For the folks who have passionately embraced the slogan Abolish ICE, they’re walking down a road that’s a dead end." – John Cowan via Sam Greenglass (17:18–17:30)

• Historical Context

  • The slogan originated in 2018, during the Trump administration's family separation policy, and was key to AOC’s surprise primary win.

• The Funding Boom

  • ICE’s budget has ballooned: from under $6 billion ten years ago to $85 billion today (Ashley Lopez, 13:17), a frequent talking point for progressives challenging incumbents.

• Narrative Control & Republican Strategy

  • There’s concern that standout positions in blue districts (e.g., “Abolish ICE”) will be weaponized by Republicans to paint all Democrats as extreme, regardless of individual candidates’ stances (18:30).
  • "A lot of Democrats will be able to run a little differently than someone who’s running for a Senate seat and has to convince an entire statewide electorate." – Ashley Lopez (18:52)

4. Party Objectives & Internal Strategy

• Primaries as Battlegrounds

  • Progressives use primaries in safe blue districts to push the party’s direction; moderates focus on retaining or flipping swing seats.
  • Tension between energizing the base and appealing to the general electorate.

• Communication Challenges

  • The existence of multiple “fights” within the party can confuse voters and help Republicans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Standoff:
  "Everybody’s just sort of upset right now." – Ashley Lopez (01:52)

• On Congressional Dysfunction:
  "They are fighting about the process of negotiating. They aren’t even fighting about the substance." – Tamara Keith (05:05)

• On Democratic Political Perception:
  "This is the sort of thing that [voters] get frustrated about… the word ‘weak’ comes up so much..." – Ashley Lopez (05:13)

• On Public Testimony:
  "Thinking that perhaps Nay’s death would bring about change in our country. And it has not." – Luke Ganger (07:13–07:21)

• On Progressive Pressure:
  "If a candidate can’t even bring themselves to say the words ‘abolish ICE’... then I think it’s time for new leadership." – Darielisa Avila Chevalier (11:03)

• On Party Messaging Risks:
  "For the folks who have passionately embraced the slogan Abolish ICE, they’re walking down a road that’s a dead end." – John Cowan (17:30)

• Revisiting “Abolish ICE” History:
  "2018 and 2020 were not bad years for Democrats. And that’s when that was the height of Abolish ICE." – Ashley Lopez (17:30)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:42 – Shutdown explained; background on Minneapolis shootings
• 01:16 – Bridge funding, the new deadline, nobody satisfied
• 03:26–04:46 – Negotiation impasse, Democratic demands, reaction from both sides
• 05:13 – Public/voter perception of Democrats as “weak”
• 05:57–07:22 – Continuing resolution possibility, ICE funding status, family testimony
• 08:34–12:53 – “Abolish ICE” enters the midterm campaign; progressive candidates’ positions and voter reactions
• 12:53–14:43 – Historical perspective on abolishing federal departments (ICE vs. Commerce/Education/etc.)
• 14:43–17:30 – Funding talk, risk of backlash, parallels to “Defund the Police,” strategic advice
• 17:30–18:52 – Reflection on recent cycles, primary dynamics, Republican counter-strategy
• 18:52–20:17 – The implications of primary outcomes and internal party objectives

Language & Tone Notes

• The episode maintains NPR's characteristically measured, analytical tone mixed with candid, conversational insight.
• Much of the language blends explanation with dry, occasionally wry, humor—especially when discussing the intractability of Congress or recurring political cycles.

Summary Takeaways

• Congress faces an imminent, unresolved standoff over DHS/ICE funding, with both parties deeply dissatisfied and public opinion volatile.
• Progressive Democrats are seizing the opportunity to push for "Abolish ICE" as a campaign rallying cry, especially in blue districts, while moderates urge caution and focus on targeted reform.
• The internal struggle within the Democratic Party is mirrored in public voter frustration, with perceptions of weakness and dysfunction threatening to cloud broader messaging ahead of the midterms.
• Republican strategists are poised to use the most left-wing Democratic slogans to brand the party nationwide, despite local variations.
• How these fights play out may help determine the future direction of Democratic immigration policy—and perhaps the outcome of several primary and general election contests.