WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Angus King, I-ME, released a statement Jan. 29 following his vote against a government spending package that included renewed funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

The package failed in a bipartisan vote, 45-55, when it needed to reach 60 votes to advance. The entire Senate Minority voted against the package along with U.S. Senators Ted Budd, R-NC; Rick Scott, R-FL; Tommy Tuberville, R-AL; Ashley Moody, R-FL; Mike Lee, R-UT; Johnson, R-WI; Rand Paul, R-KY; and John Thune, R-SD.

“I hate shutdowns, but I cannot in good faith vote for a bill that funds the Department of Homeland Security, specifically ICE, under these circumstances," said King, in his statement. "ICE’s conduct in Maine and across the nation has blatantly violated the Constitution and harmed our communities. This heavy-handed, heavily armed approach to immigration enforcement has endangered many and left U.S. citizens fearful to go about their daily lives. The federal agents have set aside the vital protections granted by the First, Second, and Fourth Amendment in their overzealous, aggressive actions.

"The solution remains clear—separate the part of the bill that funds DHS from the rest. Pass the five noncontroversial spending bills immediately, and then give the DHS budget a continuing resolution for a few weeks so that Congress has the time to debate and establish necessary guardrails and civilian protections. This is the way to help ensure the safety of civilians, and put a stop to the unconstitutional and deadly actions we’ve recently witnessed ICE carry out.”

Senator King previously shared his unwillingness to vote for ICE funding without proper guardrails in a Maine Public Radio “Maine Calling” program and a national TV interview with CBS’s Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation.