Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Urging Republicans To Agree To Democrats’ Reasonable Proposals To Rein In ICE

Washington, D.C. - Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today spoke on the Senate floor outlining Democrats' commonsense proposals to rein in ICE and urging Republicans to agree to these reasonable standards. Below are Senator Schumer's remarks, which can also be viewed here:

On Saturday, Senate and House Democratic leadership-including myself and Leader Jeffries-sent legislative text, detailing the ten items we outlined in our letter-which has been public since Thursday-for reining in ICE. We sent them to our Republican counterparts, including to Leader Thune, Speaker Johnson, and the White House.

So since Saturday, the ball has been in Republicans' court. We have no idea which of our proposals they will accept, and which they will reject.

And when I say that Democrats have offered exceedingly reasonable proposals and have the support of the American people, I am not exaggerating. In fact, many on both sides who have seen our proposals say they are reasonable.

And they're reasonable for one obvious reason: we're asking ICE to do nothing more than to follow the standards that the vast majority of law enforcement agencies already follow. Why should ICE be different, especially when they have such a record of brutality?

We are simply saying: no barging into people's homes without judicial warrants. Who on the other side objects to that?

No secret police wearing masks with zero identification. Who has police officers in their own jurisdictions who don't have any identification and are not identified at all? Of course not, that's perfectly reasonable, that's how we do law enforcement. I ask Republicans: what other law enforcement agency wears masks daily? When have they ever seen a traffic cop with a mask?

Democrats also say no use of force without a code of conduct. Well I hope people listen to this-our proposed language for use of force is based off the language currently in effect in the state of Florida. If it's good enough for Florida law enforcement it should certainly be good enough for Republicans in Congress. Florida is hardly a state run by Democrats.

We also cannot have unannounced raids in places like hospitals, and elementary schools, and polling places.

Republicans should ask people back home if they think it's okay for ICE to tail school busses, or to have ICE "surround the polls" like Steven Bannon and others say. Most Americans would say this has nothing to do with going after criminals and everything to do with intimidation, coercion, and trying to jaundice our election process.

Well Republicans, the clock is ticking. We have sent you our proposals and they are exceedingly reasonable. I hope our colleagues on the other side-many who, at least here in the Senate, recognize that things need to change-show they're ready to act in a meaningful way.

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