ICE Funding Dispute Sparks Government Shutdown Showdown, Khanna Urges Democratic Resistance

WASHINGTON — A deepening rift over immigration enforcement has thrust the federal government into a partial shutdown, with progressive Democrat Ro Khanna of California urging his party to withhold support from a stopgap funding measure set for a House vote Monday.

In a Sunday appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," Khanna declared himself a "firm no" on the Senate-passed bill, which would temporarily reopen shuttered agencies. His opposition hinges on the bill's inclusion of funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an agency facing intense scrutiny after its agents fatally shot two American citizens in Minneapolis last month.

"I just don't see how, in good conscience, Democrats can vote for continuing ICE funding when they're killing American citizens," Khanna told moderator Kristen Welker. He advocated for a legislative maneuver to "bracket the ICE funding" and open the remaining parts of government, calling for the issue to be addressed separately.

The shutdown, which began Saturday, affects a swath of departments including Homeland Security, Defense, State, and Transportation. It followed a short-term deal between President Donald Trump and Senate Democrats to avert a longer crisis. That agreement funds most agencies through September but only provides two weeks of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE's parent agency, aiming to create a window for negotiations on enforcement tactics.

House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), expressed confidence the Senate bill would pass despite their razor-thin majority. "I'm confident that we'll do it, at least by Tuesday," Johnson said on the same program, pointing to his party's "one-vote margin."

In a separate but parallel controversy, Khanna also addressed the Justice Department's latest document dump related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Millions of pages released Friday included emails and images referencing high-profile figures, though Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the materials did not warrant new criminal charges.

Khanna, who co-led the push for the files' release, countered, "I do think the prosecution needs to look at seriously bringing charges." He argued for public accountability even for those not facing prosecution, stating, "The American people are asking, 'How are rich and powerful people living in this country? What moral code are they living by?'"

The congressman also defended his vote against holding former President Bill Clinton in criminal contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena related to Epstein, favoring civil contempt proceedings instead.

Voices from the Public:

Michael Torres, a political science professor from Ohio: "This is a classic legislative impasse. Khanna is using the leverage of the shutdown to force a debate on ICE's conduct, a high-risk strategy that could backfire if the public blames Democrats for prolonged disruption."

Sarah Chen, a small business owner from California: "It's refreshing to see a politician stand on principle. The deaths in Minneapolis demand scrutiny. Funding shouldn't be automatic for agencies that show such a lack of accountability."

David P. McCullough, a retired federal worker from Virginia: "This is absolute political theater at the expense of government function. Holding paychecks hostage over a policy dispute with one agency is irresponsible. Khanna and his colleagues need to fund the government first, then debate ICE separately."

Anya Rodriguez, an immigration advocate from Texas: "Khanna is right to draw this line. ICE's tactics have created a climate of fear far beyond the immigrant community. Every dollar funded is an endorsement. This shutdown is a direct consequence of funding brutality."

This report was informed by original reporting from NBC News.