Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has announced that his party will block a government funding package next week if it includes money for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The move dramatically escalates the potential for another partial government shutdown, coming after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis.
“What’s happening in Minnesota is appalling – and unacceptable in any American city,” Schumer said in a statement. “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. I will vote no.” He added that Senate Democrats would not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included.
The Senate is set to take up the spending measure as part of a broader legislative package funding various government departments, including defence, state, education, labour and transportation. The package calls for $64.4bn for DHS, including $10bn for ICE, and needs 60 votes to avoid a filibuster. Republicans hold 53 seats and require Democratic support to pass the bill.
Several Democrats, including some who previously supported funding packages, have announced their opposition. Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto said the administration is “putting undertrained, combative federal agents on the streets with no accountability”. Fellow Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen said she would vote against any package containing the DHS bill until guardrails are in place. Virginia Senator Mark Warner stated he “cannot and will not vote to fund DHS while this administration continues these violent federal takeovers of our cities”. Washington Senator Patty Murray, ranking member on the appropriations committee, also announced she would not support the package as written, calling for the DHS bill to be split off.
It remains unclear if Senate Republicans are willing to separate the DHS funding measure from the rest of the package. Holding up the homeland security budget would not necessarily curtail enforcement operations in the short term, as Trump’s 2025 domestic policy bill includes a $75bn supplement for ICE that the agency could potentially tap if its funding lapses. However, Democrats argue they must take a stand against what they see as abuses of power by federal agents.
