The federal government is approaching its funding deadline of Jan. 19 in order to prevent a partial government shutdown. 

Congressional leaders have reached a framework on a spending plan, which is similar to the deal struck by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, although hardline Republicans are staunchly calling for more spending at the border.

Los Angeles Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove joined “Inside the Issues” host Amrit Singh to talk about the budget and what the year ahead will look like in Washington, D.C. 

“New year, same stuff. We could have taken care of this over a year ago. The speaker has punted and we’ve ended up with the same deal Speaker McCarthy had,” Kamlager-Dove said.

House Republicans advocate for a resolution similar to H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, which is creating a barrier for the budget resolution to move forward. Kamlager-Dove criticized these Republicans for discussing the border during budget negotiations to help them politically.

“They want to build a wall, which everyone says is not going to keep anyone safe, and will not help us in these discussions around what real immigration reform looks like,” Kamlager-Dove said.

Kamlager-Dove recently introduced legislation to create a 300-acre reservation in Los Angeles County for the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation. Currently, the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation is not federally recognized.

The federal recognition would allow the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation access to financial aid, health care and housing. It would also allow them to explore different economic opportunities, such as building a casino.

“It’s about their identity and preserving it,” Kamlager-Dove said. “I also think it’s kinda colonial for folks to be telling a native nation what they can or cannot do with land that was stripped from them by white folks.”