PARKERSBURG — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), said Wednesday she is open to defunding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as Congress works to pass a federal spending bill, the Parkersburg News and Sentinel first reported.
Speaking on a press call before a test vote that blocked legislation to fund Homeland Security and other federal agencies, Capito said she supports passing most of the spending legislation but is willing to separate out the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, for further negotiation—a move pushed by Senate Democrats.
“The job of an ICE agent is difficult, and I think that we’ve got to tone the rhetoric down. Not just the rhetoric; we’ve got to tone the whole thing down,” Capito said, referencing Democrats’ calls for reforms in the wake of the fatal shootings of two protesters by federal officers in Minneapolis last month.
“The videos and the loss of life is – not just sad, it’s very difficult for us as a nation to see something like this.”
She signaled support for some changes Democrats are seeking, such as de-escalation training and body cameras, and did not rule out proposals that could restrict ICE operations.
“I can support that strategy if that’s what the leadership decides to do,” Capito said.
Capito suggested she supports reforms that would protect some illegal immigrants while prioritizing the deportation of violent criminals.
“I think the focus should be on removing violent criminals who have already been convicted of crimes, who are here illegally,” she said.
Capito emphasized the urgency of passing a spending bill to prevent a shutdown, warning that agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Transportation Security Administration, Secret Service, and Coast Guard could face furloughs and cutbacks.
“We need to have our FEMA disaster funds and FEMA disaster folks at the ready,” she said, citing the winter storm currently affecting large parts of the country.
Her comments indicate a willingness to consider trimming ICE’s funding and operational flexibility as part of broader spending negotiations.
