Senate Democrats Threaten to Block Funding Bill After Second Fatal Minneapolis Shooting
Democrats say they will withhold support for Homeland Security funding unless immigration enforcement reforms are adopted, raising shutdown risk
Senate Democrats have announced they will block a major government funding package if it includes money for the Department of Homeland Security in the aftermath of a second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis, dramatically increasing the likelihood of a partial government shutdown later this week.
The decision, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, comes after the killing of a Minneapolis resident by a Border Patrol agent on Saturday, following an earlier fatality this month that also involved federal immigration enforcement officers.
The shootings have intensified scrutiny of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and sparked widespread outrage within the Democratic caucus.
In a statement, Schumer said that Democrats had sought ‘‘common sense reforms’’ to restrictions governing immigration enforcement as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s spending bill, but that Republicans had refused to back changes.
He added that ‘‘Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included,’’ underscoring the party’s refusal to support the current package without significant policy adjustments.
The broader spending measure includes funding not only for Homeland Security but for multiple federal departments, and requires the support of at least 60 senators to advance in the Senate and avert procedural hurdles.
Several Democratic senators who previously backed bipartisan proposals to avert shutdowns have publicly reversed their positions, citing dissatisfaction with how immigration enforcement is overseen and the deaths of U.S. citizens.
In addition to Schumer, lawmakers including Patty Murray, Jacky Rosen and others have signalled opposition to the Homeland Security funding component unless it is separated from the larger package or rewritten to include more oversight and accountability.
Independents allied with the Democratic caucus have also indicated they will withhold votes under current terms.
Republican leaders in the Senate have so far resisted splitting the bill, complicating efforts to find a compromise before the January 31 deadline for approval of the government funding measure.
Unless an agreement is reached, funding for agencies covered by the outstanding appropriations bills could lapse, leading to a partial shutdown.
The standoff reflects deepening political tensions over immigration enforcement policy and fiscal negotiations at a critical point in the federal budget cycle.
The decision, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, comes after the killing of a Minneapolis resident by a Border Patrol agent on Saturday, following an earlier fatality this month that also involved federal immigration enforcement officers.
The shootings have intensified scrutiny of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and sparked widespread outrage within the Democratic caucus.
In a statement, Schumer said that Democrats had sought ‘‘common sense reforms’’ to restrictions governing immigration enforcement as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s spending bill, but that Republicans had refused to back changes.
He added that ‘‘Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included,’’ underscoring the party’s refusal to support the current package without significant policy adjustments.
The broader spending measure includes funding not only for Homeland Security but for multiple federal departments, and requires the support of at least 60 senators to advance in the Senate and avert procedural hurdles.
Several Democratic senators who previously backed bipartisan proposals to avert shutdowns have publicly reversed their positions, citing dissatisfaction with how immigration enforcement is overseen and the deaths of U.S. citizens.
In addition to Schumer, lawmakers including Patty Murray, Jacky Rosen and others have signalled opposition to the Homeland Security funding component unless it is separated from the larger package or rewritten to include more oversight and accountability.
Independents allied with the Democratic caucus have also indicated they will withhold votes under current terms.
Republican leaders in the Senate have so far resisted splitting the bill, complicating efforts to find a compromise before the January 31 deadline for approval of the government funding measure.
Unless an agreement is reached, funding for agencies covered by the outstanding appropriations bills could lapse, leading to a partial shutdown.
The standoff reflects deepening political tensions over immigration enforcement policy and fiscal negotiations at a critical point in the federal budget cycle.
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