The Playbook Podcast Countdown to shutdown
6 snips
Feb 5, 2026 
Mia McCarthy, a Congress reporter who covers Capitol Hill negotiations, breaks down the looming DHS funding crunch. She walks through Democratic demands for ICE reforms, GOP resistance over mask bans, and the slim odds of a deal before the Feb. 13 deadline. Brief looks at whether the White House or private meetings might shift talks and why this fight feels painfully familiar.
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DHS Funding Crunch Nears Deadline
- Congress faces a tight deadline to fund DHS by Feb. 13 with no clear bipartisan deal yet.
- Negotiations center on ICE reforms after the Alex Preti shooting, leaving little room for compromise.
Democrats' Specific ICE Reform Demands
- Democrats demand reforms like body cameras, mask prohibitions and warrant rules tied to DHS funding.
- They plan to deliver a formal proposal to Republicans within 24 hours to codify those demands.
Potential Republican Fracture Over Mask Rule
- Some moderate Republicans like Brian Fitzpatrick may accept mask restrictions for ICE, creating a potential negotiation opening.
- Many Republicans still call mask prohibitions a non-starter, citing agent safety and doxxing concerns.