Congress barrels toward Homeland Security shutdown without off-ramp in sight

Senators left Washington this week without a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) past Friday, signaling how far apart Senate Democrats and White House negotiators are on a potential agreement to reform Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have told rank-and-file senators to be prepared to return to the Capitol on short notice if negotiators reach a deal.

But lawmakers in both parties have little expectation of that happening anytime soon.