AT A GLANCE
- Senate Democrats are vowing to block a Department of Homeland Security funding bill after the fatal shooting of a Minnesota man by federal agents.
- The standoff raises the risk of a partial government shutdown if Congress fails to act by Friday at midnight.
- Democrats are demanding changes to ICE oversight and enforcement policies before supporting DHS funding.
Democrats Threaten DHS Funding Block After Minnesota ICE Shooting, Raising Shutdown Risk
Democratic senators are vowing to block a Department of Homeland Security funding bill following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old Minnesota man by federal immigration agents, a move that sharply increases the likelihood of a partial government shutdown by the end of the week.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in a social media post hours after Saturday’s shooting that the situation in Minnesota is “appalling” and that Democrats will not provide the votes needed to advance an appropriations package if it includes DHS funding. “Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included,” Schumer wrote.
Six of the 12 annual spending bills for the current budget year have already been signed into law by President Donald Trump. The remaining six are stalled in the Senate amid growing backlash from Democrats, including calls for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. If senators fail to act by midnight Friday, funding for DHS and other agencies covered under the unresolved bills will lapse.
“Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans’ refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE,” Schumer said. “I will vote no.”
Democrats Draw a Line After Minnesota Shooting
According to a Senate Democratic leadership aide, the White House and Republican leaders reached out to Democrats late Sunday, but have not offered any realistic solutions. Republicans will need Democratic support to pass the remaining spending bills and avoid a shutdown — support that was already in doubt after Renee Good, a mother of three, was fatally shot earlier this month by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Saturday’s killing of Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse, intensified Democratic opposition.
On Sunday, House and Senate Democrats held separate conference calls to assess next steps and discuss how to restrain the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations. Washington Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, had previously urged colleagues to support the DHS bill, arguing Democrats had successfully blocked major ICE budget increases. After the shooting, she reversed course.
“I will NOT support the DHS bill as it stands,” Murray wrote. “Federal agents cannot murder people in broad daylight and face zero consequences.”
Federal officials have defended the actions of agents involved in both shootings as justified. Democrats say video released from the incidents tells a different story. Republicans are increasingly split, with some calling for investigations while others defend DHS.
“The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing,” Sen. Bill Cassidy posted, calling for a full joint federal and state investigation. Sen. Thom Tillis said any effort to rush judgment or shut down an investigation would be a disservice to the country. Sen. Lindsey Graham urged Democrats to reconsider, warning against defunding border security and blaming “sanctuary city policies.”
The standoff leaves Senate Republican leaders in a difficult position. Much of the federal government, including the Department of Defense, is currently operating under a short-term funding measure that expires Friday. Republican leaders had hoped to avoid another shutdown after last fall’s 43-day closure tied to Democratic demands to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.
Pressure Mounts on Homeland Security Leadership
Before Pretti’s death, many Democrats were reluctant to force a shutdown, supporting most of the remaining spending bills in the House — except DHS. House Democrats overwhelmingly opposed the homeland security portion last week, with more than 100 calling for Noem’s impeachment. The House sent the six bills to the Senate as a single package, making it procedurally difficult to strip out DHS funding.
Despite those hurdles, Schumer said Republicans should advance the other five bills and rewrite the DHS measure. “This is the best course of action, and the American people are on our side,” he said.
The path forward remains uncertain. The Senate is not scheduled to return until Tuesday due to a snowstorm, and the House is out of session, meaning any changes would require another vote. Democrats are pressing for policy changes that would require ICE agents to use warrants for arrests, strengthen training and identification requirements, and limit Border Patrol involvement in interior immigration raids.
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy said Congress cannot fund a department “that is murdering American citizens” and traumatizing children in violation of the law. Several other Democratic senators — including Jacky Rosen, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Minnesota Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar — have also announced their opposition to DHS funding.
While progress on other spending bills means much of the federal government would continue operating during a shutdown, DHS and other unfunded agencies would see disruptions. A measure signed Friday funds the Departments of Justice, Commerce, and Interior, along with the EPA, NASA, and the Army Corps of Engineers through September. Agriculture funding is also secure, meaning food assistance programs would continue.
Still, as the deadline approaches and talks remain stalled, Democrats and Republicans appear headed toward another high-stakes funding showdown — with immigration enforcement and accountability at its center.
