Shaheen Offers Amendments to Republican Budget Reconciliation Bill to Require Transparency on ICE Facilities, Address Bureau of Prisons Staffing Shortages

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, is introducing several amendments to Republicans’ partisan reconciliation bill. “This partisan bill does anything but provide relief to Americans who are struggling to make ends meet. Instead, Republicans are ramming through tens of billions of dollars for ICE and Border Patrol without a single cent to make health care, energy or food more affordable for families,” said Senator Shaheen. “It’s clear that Republicans have their priorities backwards so I’m offering amendments to directly address concerns Granite Staters have raised with me, including a provision that would require the Department of Homeland Security to consult with communities before establishing new ICE detention or processing facilities.” Below is an overview of the amendments Senator Shaheen will offer for consideration: To increase transparency around plans for new ICE facilities in states across the country, ?Shaheen is offering an amendment in line with her legislation—the? Respect for Local Communities Act —that would require DHS to solicit public comments and receive written approval from state and local officials before establishing new ICE detention or processing facilities. To address persistent staffing shortages at federal prisons across the country, Shaheen is offering an amendment in line with her bipartisan legislation—the Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act —that would increase salaries for Bureau of Prisons law enforcement officers nationwide—boosting recruitment and retention, eliminating costly overtime and burnout, enhancing safety and, ultimately, significantly improving operations. ###