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 escalates the risk of another partial government shutdown, following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse in Minneapolis, by federal agents.
Schumer stated, 'What’s happening in Minnesota is appalling – and unacceptable in any American city. Democrats sought common sense reforms in the DHS 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 is included.
The Senate is set to consider a spending measure that includes $64.4bn for DHS, with $10bn for ICE, as part of a broader legislative package funding defence, state, education, labour and transportation departments. The package requires 60 votes to avoid a filibuster; Republicans hold 53 seats and need Democratic support. Several Democrats who previously supported such funding have now voiced opposition, including Senators Catherine Cortez Masto, Jacky Rosen, Mark Warner and Patty Murray.
Senator Cortez Masto criticised the Trump administration for 'putting undertrained, combative federal agents on the streets with no accountability.' Senator Rosen said she would vote against any funding package containing the DHS bill until guardrails are in place. Senator Warner stated he 'cannot and will not vote to fund DHS while this administration continues these violent federal takeovers of our cities.' Senator Murray, ranking member on the appropriations committee, announced she would not support the package as written, demanding the DHS bill be split off.
It remains unclear if Senate Republicans will separate the DHS funding from the rest of the package. While holding up the homeland security budget may not immediately curtail enforcement operations—due to a $75bn supplement for ICE in Trump's 2025 domestic policy bill—Democrats argue they must act to address abuses.
