Washington, 25 March (H.S.):

Democrats and Republicans remain locked in a standoff over budget funding and border security with Senate Democrats stating Tuesday they will keep pushing ICE reforms as part of any deal to reopen the Homeland Security Department (DHS). This stance is complicating Republican efforts to break the funding impasse on Wednesday.

CBS News reported Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York telling reporters at the US Capitol We need to put a leash on ICE and stop the violence. Reforms are essential. After late Monday talks showed promise Senate Republicans sent Democrats a formal proposal Tuesday.

A Republican group met President Trump at the White House Monday evening returning optimistic about a deal. When asked if they had a solution Alabama Senator Katie Britt said Yes we do.

But after a key Tuesday afternoon meeting Democrats rejected the offer and reiterated ICE reform demands. Following January federal agent shootings in Minneapolis Democrats refuse to fund the agency without changes.

Schumer noted the Republican proposal lacks immigration agency reforms adding Negotiations continue and well send back our counteroffer. I can assure you itll pack major reforms.

South Dakotas Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters their plan funds 94 percent of DHS budget while securing 5.5 billion dollars for ICEs deportation wing Enforcement and Removal Operations. Thune said Tuesday Many reforms hinge on ICE funding.

Washington Senator Patty Murray leading Democrats on funding made clear they insist on substantive reforms turned into law. Recent weeks saw proposal exchanges between Democrats and the White House. Last week a bipartisan Senate group met twice with Border Czar Tom Homan amid mounting pressure to end the deadlock.

Murray said pushing ICE reforms theyve had meaningful White House meetings though those would be more productive without President Trumps constant social media curveballs. Reaching consensus with Republicans gets tough when even they lack internal agreement she added.

President Trump threw a wrench Monday telling Republicans to hold firm on no deal unless DHS funding ties to the Save America Act. Hes pressured lawmakers for weeks to pass this election bill requiring citizenship proof for voter registration and photo ID to vote. Democrats fiercely oppose it. Trump said Tuesday at the White House Democrats broke the deal.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar