House Democrat says he "failed" in voting for DHS and ICE funding
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Rep. Tom Suozzi speaks with reporters outside the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 17, 2025. Photo: Heather Diehl/Getty Images
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), the co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, said in a statement Monday that he "failed" in voting for a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security and ICE last week.
Why it matters: The statement marks a significant tonal shift from one of Congress' most prominent Democratic centrists following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday.
- Suozzi isn't alone in that shift: Rep. Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.), another of the seven Democrats to vote for the DHS funding bill, announced Sunday she was supporting impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
- Suozzi is the only one of the seven thus far to explicitly express regret for the vote.
What they're saying: "I failed to view the DHS funding vote as a referendum on the illegal and immoral conduct of ICE in Minneapolis," Suozzi said in a statement posted to social media.
- "I hear the anger from my constituents, and I take responsibility for that," he continued. "I have long been critical of ICE's unlawful behavior and I must do a better job demonstrating that."
- Suozzi called Pretti's killing "senseless and tragic" and called for President Trump to end the surge of federal immigration agents in Minnesota.
Zoom out: Suozzi's statement comes as Democrats are taking an increasingly hard line against ICE, DHS and Noem.
- Senate Democrats are lining up against a government funding package unless the DHS portion of it is removed and renegotiated, effectively threatening to shut the government down.
- And articles of impeachment against Noem stood at 145 House Democratic co-sponsors as of Monday afternoon, more than two-thirds of the caucus.
Yes, but: Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), the ranking member of the House Appropriations subcommittee that crafted the DHS funding bill, is standing behind his vote, according to talking points shared with Axios.
- "This bill doesn't solve every problem overnight. But the worst thing we could do is allow a powerful Department to operate with a blank check under a continuing resolution—or shut the government down entirely," the eight-page document says.
- "This bill is better than those alternatives," it continues. "Now, I'll be honest. I wanted stronger oversight provisions. We pushed for them. We didn't get everything we asked for. This bill is not perfect. But it is responsible."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
