The Playbook Podcast Shutdown déjà vu
Jan 29, 2026
Mia McCarthy, Capitol Hill reporter for POLITICO and author of the Inside Congress newsletter, walks through the fight over DHS funding after a fatal Minnesota shooting. Short takes cover shifting Democratic demands, GOP resistance and the White House role. She also previews procedural votes, shutdown odds, and key political players influencing the standoff.
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Shooting Rebooted The DHS Funding Fight
- The Minnesota shooting transformed a routine DHS funding fight into a major leverage point for Democrats.
- That single event forced a re-evaluation of what counts as acceptable DHS policy on both sides of the aisle.
Democrats Present Concrete DHS Demands
- Senate Democrats compiled specific demands like body cameras, banning masks for federal agents, and independent investigations.
- Those demands turned the DHS bill into a set of policy changes, not just a funding vehicle.
GOP Awaits White House Guidance
- Republicans planned to put the DHS bill on the floor unchanged while some members remain open to tweaks.
- Many GOP senators are waiting for White House direction before committing to any concessions.