Senate Democrats are preparing to undermine a tenuous agreement aimed at preventing a partial government shutdown, following the fatal shooting of a man by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on Saturday. The incident has heightened tensions, especially as concerns grow over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), particularly in Minnesota where the shooting occurred.
The victim, 37-year-old Alex Preti, was killed during an immigration operation, and this tragedy has fractured the already fragile consensus among Democrats regarding the funding bill. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, representing New York, has announced that Democrats will vote against the proposed legislation, which is part of a larger funding package that includes five additional bills.
Schumer expressed his frustration in a statement, stating that, although there is a need for “common sense reforms” to the DHS funding, the bill fails to adequately address issues related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to Republican reluctance to challenge President Trump. Consequently, Schumer confirmed his intent to vote no, emphasizing that Senate Democrats would not support any spending proposal that includes DHS funding.
This decision is a particular setback for Senate Republicans, who have been attempting to work collaboratively toward a compromise. With the January 30 government funding deadline approaching, the situation is becoming more pressing. Complicating matters further, an arctic storm has led to the cancellation of Monday’s scheduled vote.
A Senate aide noted that Democrats had previously expressed their commitment to avoiding another government shutdown, highlighting the bipartisan efforts that had been in play until Saturday. They remarked that the current funding bills were agreed upon by both parties, adding to the urgency and complexity of the negotiations.
Some Senate Democrats had voiced dissatisfaction with the bill even before the shooting, including Senators Chris Murphy and Tim Kaine from Virginia. Kaine, notably, had switched parties last year to help reopen the government after an extended shutdown. Additionally, Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen have stated their opposition to including the DHS funding in the broader package, with Rosen declaring now is the time to “fight back.”
Meanwhile, House members are currently on a weeklong recess after passing a recent spending package in two parts, which included funding for DHS as well as allocations for other essential departments. Proposed changes to the funding structure could lead to significant procedural challenges, particularly since the House is closed until February 2, raising the risk of partial government shutdown.
In light of the recent events, there are still unresolved issues regarding attendance and participation, as many House members have already made plans or are focused on campaigning. If a shutdown occurs, only the agencies not funded by Congress would be impacted, potentially affecting payments to military personnel, air traffic controllers, and Border Patrol agents.
