House Republicans have decided to vote on a resolution this week supporting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, instead of forcing Democrats to vote on their unpopular proposal to abolish ICE altogether.
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Monday the House will vote Wednesday on a measure sponsored by Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., that expresses support for ICE. The House will take up the measure under special rules limiting debate and requiring two-thirds support for passage.
Republican conservatives had hoped to hold a vote on the Democratic proposal to abolish ICE because they wanted to force Democrats to take a position on their bill. Their proposal to end ICE in the face of anger over President Trump’s hardline immigration policy garnered significant opposition in the polls and is backed by a small faction of the most politically safe and left-leaning lawmakers in their party.
But Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and other Republicans weren’t enthusiastic about holding the vote, especially after Democrats promised to vote against it and it was doomed to fail anyway. McCarthy said that after rejecting their own bill, they should support the resolution.
“After being called on their bluff, Democrats ran scared from their own bill,” he said. “Democrats will now have the chance to stand with the majority of Americans who support ICE and vote for this resolution, or follow the extreme voices on the far left calling for abolishment of an agency that protects us.”
Some Republican lawmakers said it would simply provide cover for swing-state Democrats, who could say they voted against the measure.
ICE carries out all interior immigration enforcement and also combats associated gang violence, drug smuggling, and human trafficking, although some Democrats have incorrectly accused ICE of separating immigration families at the border.
