Can Congress actually stop ICE’s behavior by defunding it — or is that just a political mirage?

In this episode of The Tradeoff, Mattie Duppler breaks down the high-stakes spending fight over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding and explains why federal budget battles rarely deliver the policy outcomes politicians promise. Against the backdrop of escalating ICE activity in Minnesota and an imminent government shutdown, Mattie walks listeners through how federal budgeting and appropriations really work — and where the “defund” strategy runs into hard structural limits.

Drawing on her experience of sitting at the appropriations negotiating tables, she explains why stripping the Department of Homeland Security funding bill is not a silver bullet for proponents of eliminating the agency. Most importantly, she outlines what would work: targeted appropriations riders that constrain behavior, impose training requirements, and create real accountability.

This episode is a practical guide to understanding federal spending fights, government shutdowns, and the difference between effective policy change and symbolic politics — for anyone who wants results, not just rhetoric.

Sign up for more insights and updates at www.mattieduppler.com

Follow Mattie on Instagram @MattieDC and Youtube @MattieDC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.