Democratic Lawmaker Says 'I Failed' After Voting To Fund ICE

[Wicked Blue]

HuffPost
Jan 26, 2026, 11:23 AM EST

WASHINGTON ― Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) expressed regret for voting to fund the Department of Homeland Security after the latest fatal shooting by a federal immigration agent in Minnesota.

“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 social media post on Monday. “I hear the anger from my constituents, and I take responsibility for that. I have long been critical of ICE’s unlawful behavior and I must do a better job demonstrating that.”

The New York Democrat joined six other Democratic lawmakers in helping pass a funding bill last week that included $10 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and $18 billion for Customs and Border Protection. It did not include any restraints on ICE’s often-violent tactics in Minnesota and elsewhere, as scores of Democrats had demanded.

The killing of Alex Pretti by a Customs and Border Protection agent in Minneapolis on Saturday, however, has galvanized Democrats against the funding bill en masse, with Democratic senators threatening a partial government shutdown later this week unless the Trump administration changes course. The shooting has even disturbed some Republicans, who broke with the Trump administration by denouncing Pretti’s killing and calling for an investigation.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-funding-tom-suozzi_n_69778bb2e4b00e79865dc76d?origin=home-latest-news-unit

Dear fellow DUers,

We are rightfully angry about this congressman's vote and the votes of his 6 Democratic colleagues on the funding bill that includes money for ICE and CBP. They should have voted with the other Democratic House members.

But keep in mind that he and the other 6 are still fellow Democrats, and we on DU need to restrain our anger and disappointment on this issue. We need their votes on an amended funding bill, and on other legislation going forward.

Thanks,
Wicked

[GreenEyedLefty]

1. If he's that out of touch with constituents

He doesn't belong in office. Epic Fail.

[LearnedHand]

48. I was thinking the same thing

How could he have missed the anger?

[Whyisthisstillclose]

2. Good for him but he's still an idiot

[Escurumbele]

44. No, not "good for him", there is ZERO excuse for voting to fund ICE, he knows what is going on, he just wants

his constituents to say "Oh, OK, he apologized.." and give him a break. Its a fake "sorry", I don't believe he is being truthful.

So, the murder of Renee Good was not enough for him?

F&(*& him!

[Whyisthisstillclose]

45. The "good for him" is totally sarcastic. I agree with you. Fuck him!

[leftstreet]

3. So the first shooting wasn't enough?

Well, good for him I guess

Those 7 must be so pissed

[bucolic_frolic]

4. The heat is on

Constituents are ringing the phone

[LuvLoogie]

5. Buh-bye

This was a no brainer, dude.

[maxsolomon]

27. This is the ding dong that ran for NY Governor

and left his seat open for George Santos to swindle away from the Dems.

Frankly I'm amazed he's contrite here rather than doubling down.

[Bluetus]

52. Does he have a primary challenger? I have my checkbook out.

[Danmel]

58. Unfortunately not and petioning begins in early March

Suozzi has always been a blue dog, essentially Republican. I live in the adjoining congressional district and work for a state elected whose district overlaps Suozzis congressional district. He's clearly scared and his behavior concerns me because suppressing the Democratic vote by voting to fund ice will suppress the Democratic vote for state and town Democrats.

[Wicked Blue]

60. Needed: a write-in candidate

[Danmel]

67. My husband nominated me, lol

[awesomerwb1]

6. I give him 0.5% credit

for at least apologizing.

But this was truly a no-brainer. Indefensible. Inexcusable.

[ColoringFool]

13. The "Apology" Is 100% PHONY, Just To Mollify! FHATHHRIOn!

🐎

[Scrivener7]

34. Primaries are coming.

[3catwoman3]

40. FHATHHRIOn! ??????????????????????

I tried Googling. Nothing. What the heck does this mean?

[dpibel]

47. My guess

Fuck him and the horse he rode in on.

[3catwoman3]

61. That fits - thnx.

[Efilroft Sul]

50. I pronounced that while I was lighting a candle and accidentally summoned a low-level demon.

[Wicked Blue]

62. I hope it wasn't the couch-f*cking vance demon

[Efilroft Sul]

65. No guyliner detected. But when it started spouting racially tinged phrases, I realized it was Lee Atwater.

So I sent it screaming back to Hell.

[Torchlight]

64. That's some serious EIED with some NoOO1A thrown in for taste!

Too cwwurd for me, though.

[Ritabert]

7. Too little too late on the apology.

[PCIntern]

8. "I'm really sorry I turned in the Frank Family to the Nazis,

but you know…rule of law and all that.”

[Scrivener7]

35. Who knew they would be killed, just because all those other people were killed?

[calimary]

46. OUCH!!!

[Autumn]

9. You are just now paying attention to your constituents? Wow.

You have long been critical of ICE’s unlawful behavior and yet you voted for them to get more funding?
Tell me another one.

[BeyondGeography]

10. He had company

[ColoringFool]

11. He FA, FO, And I Hope He Is Not Re-elected, The Stupid Bastard! Wasn't......

VOTING WITH THE REPUBLICANS TREASONOUS ENOUGH, NOW HE WANTS TO PRETEND REGRET?

GTFOOH!!

[Vinca]

12. File under "No Shit Sherlock."

[ColoringFool]

15. Alternatively: "Spare Us Your 🐎💩!"

[Fiendish Thingy]

14. Then resign

So someone with integrity can take your place.

[mike_c]

16. he needs to find some other work

[Dave Bowman]

57. I heard that ICE was hiring.

[Cherrycheeks]

17. Oh well...

Too late! !buh,bye! GTFOH!!!😡

[Quiet Em]

18. He's a couple days and another lost life short

Suozzi seems to always be on the wrong side of things.

[Cattledog]

19. Too late

I hope he has a challenger.

[calimary]

49. A good strong Democratic challenger.

Because we can’t afford to lose any seats to the GOP.

[lapfog_1]

20. does he have a challenger in the primary?

I've got a $100 donation ready to go.

[bamagal62]

21. A bit late, Tom

Don’t ya think??

[riversedge]

22. Lets hope he learns from his mistake.

[SocialDemocrat61]

23. A little late

And not the first time he voted with republicans.

[JBTaurus83]

24. He will likely

Resign to spend more time with family or be replaced in the next primary.

[hamsterjill]

25. Oh, cry me a fucking river!

This goes along the lines of "forgiveness is easier to get than permission". If he didn't know, he's an idiot.

[samsingh]

26. this is the usual form of lies by politicians to justify their cowardice or worse

This is what always happen. Media or politicians cave in to republicans crimes, then apologize and mea culpa when caught.

it's not acceptable. He and the other 6 should resign.

[yourout]

28. No shit Sherlock...

[sboatcar]

29. A little late for an apology

[bdamomma]

30. Too little

too late. You made a big mistake Congressman Suozzi.

[bluestarone]

31. Well i for one hope this is your LAST mistake in the house. Because

You WILL be voted out of our house! (if i were in NY, i kmow how i would vote. WE cannot survive with DUMB voting members!

[DFW]

32. He should just have stopped at "I failed."

If he, or ANY member of Congress, thought that another ICE murder was out of the question, or even unlikely, they should pull out of any primary they are scheduled to run in.

Democrats should NOT resign, however, but rather ride their terms out as lame ducks who will at least be always present, without interruption, to vote against Trump and Johnson for the rest of the year as a partial atonement.

[Scrivener7]

33. Yes, Tom. Yes you did. Hopefully your constituents make it impossible for you to do it much longer.

Though sadly, he has the seat for a while.

[MustLoveBeagles]

36. Tell that to Alex Pretti

Oh that's right. You can't.

[ToxMarz]

37. "I 'chose not to' view the DHS funding vote as a referendum on the illegal and immoral conduct of ICE in Minneapolis"

Fixed it for you.

“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 social media post on Monday.

[littlemissmartypants]

38. Read his bio...

He seems to be an elitist and it almost looks like he's got "whiskey nose" in his official photo. His signature needs analysis. Hummmmm.


Him
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Suozzi
His father
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_A._Suozzi

[JT45242]

39. sounds like he is trying to avoid a butt whipping in the primary to me

too little too lat for my taste

[Grokenstein]

41. Big "I'm Sorry I Got Caught" energy.

He knew what he was doing, he just didn't think people would hold him responsible.

He'll do everything he can to make it "go away." Don't let that happen.

[OldBaldy1701E]

42. Ya hear that, Don?

(You might consider doing the same thing.)

[AverageOldGuy]

43. Well, I'm just heartbroken for him.

Now could a REAL Democrat primary this asshole and get rid of him?

[Bluetus]

51. F that coward. Let's make sure he is primaried out.

This "Golly, I goofed, what are you gonna do?" business is BS.

If his constituents have a better awareness of what fascism is and where it ends, then let;s get one of them into that office.

[kacekwl]

53. Hey Tom, maybe you should

read DU before you make another mistake.

[Dave Bowman]

54. Hey Tom, if you want absolution then you won't get it from me and I doubt that most ICE victims and their families

will forgive you either.

[choie]

55. Yeah, sure

he "failed to see this vote as a referendum" - I call bullshit. Every vote to fund a program or entity is a refderendum, be it active or passive.

[AllyCat]

56. Fair, but if he is not eyes open enough to see what this was

It’s time for a new job.

[Akakoji]

59. Too late. They may as well be Republicans

A few of whom seem to be expressing shock and outrage over the execution of. An American citizen by ice. These democrats played to what they thought were the desires of their constituents. Every Democrat who voted for DHS funding needs to be primaried. We never win when we play to the lowest common denominator. Why wasn’t Jeffries whipping against this? Ethical, moral, and righteous behavior has no party. Every word Suozzi says now will look craven and depraved. He’s fighting for his huge annual salary and perks. Next.

[Emile]

63. He actually said, he's been critical of ICE's unlawful

behavior. Then turns around, and rewards them with our tax dollars. WTF

[Pinback]

66. No time like the past

to reach the right decision.

[Emile]

68. Is this another far left purity test?

[EnergizedLib]

69. Too late

May you be primaried out of a job.