Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, expressed on CNN Sunday that his party cannot support the Shutdown Avoidance Act, which provides funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He claimed the bill is detrimental, saying it is “killing the American people.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated on Saturday that his caucus “will not provide the votes” to pass the proposed spending package that includes DHS funding. This announcement came shortly after a Border Patrol agent shot and killed Alex Preti in Minneapolis. Murphy concurred with Schumer during his appearance on “State of the Union,” asserting that Democrats won’t back the bill, and warned that if it isn’t passed by the January 30 deadline, the country may face a partial government shutdown.
“You can’t vote to fund this lawless Department of Homeland Security,” Murphy said, responding to a question from host Dana Bash about Schumer’s statement. He added that the situation isn’t isolated to Minnesota; there are legal violations happening nationwide.
Murphy mentioned a recent trip to Texas, alleging that DHS officials were detaining young children who entered the U.S. legally, ostensibly to traumatize them.
“This is a national movement of lawlessness. I took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and so did every U.S. senator. We cannot continue funding the DHS if it violates the law and harms American citizens and traumatizes children,” he told Bash.
He argued that Democrats should only support legislation aimed at limiting illegal activities and reforming practices that endanger citizens. Schumer echoed this sentiment, describing the current DHS funding bill as “woefully inadequate to curb ICE abuses.”
“So, yes, Democrats will not fund this version of the DHS. But if we can enact serious reforms that protect lives in our communities, we will negotiate,” Murphy explained. “I think that’s what the American public expects from us. Sixty to seventy percent of people oppose ICE operations and don’t want either party funding these illegal actions.”
To avoid a partial government shutdown, Republicans require at least seven Democratic senators to support the six-bill funding package by January 30, assuming no party defections that would help overcome the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster.
Later, Schumer appeared to reinforce the likelihood of a shutdown in a post, stating: “Senate Democrats are united in rejecting this DHS spending bill.”
In his message, Schumer characterized Preti’s death as occurring “in broad daylight” and accused the Trump administration of misrepresenting the circumstances.
Before Preti’s shooting, Senator Patty Murray, the leading appropriator for her party in the Senate, cautioned against calling for a government shutdown in response to DHS funding concerns.
“ICE must be reined in, but neither a continuing resolution nor a shutdown will accomplish that. Due to Republican policies, ICE has access to substantial funds regardless of whether the funding bill passes,” she remarked in her statement.
Murray emphasized that the notion of a government shutdown halting the administration’s actions isn’t realistic. “Under a shutdown, ICE would still continue its operations with fewer restrictions than a full funding package would impose,” she noted.
She added that while more needs to be done to hold the DHS accountable, political changes are necessary for such improvements. “If you believe we should prioritize tax spending on healthcare and enforce immigration laws against actual criminals instead of targeting innocent children, we need to keep advocating for these changes and make our voices heard at the polls,” she stated.
During the lengthy government shutdown in fall 2025, Murphy, along with Schumer and the majority of Senate Democrats, voted against multiple attempts to reopen the government. Just days before a deal was reached to end the shutdown, Murphy warned that stopping the ongoing conflict could harm the party’s reputation.
