The risk of a federal government shutdown is rising as Senate Democrats oppose the current Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill. The move follows a deadly shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis, prompting lawmakers to demand stronger oversight of immigration enforcement.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Saturday that Democrats will not provide the votes needed to pass the DHS package. He called the bill “woefully inadequate to rein in abuses” by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection, both part of DHS.
If Congress does not approve the legislation by Friday at midnight, several major departments could close, including Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development.
The shooting of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis ICU nurse, intensified opposition among Senate Democrats. Pretti was killed by federal Border Patrol agents, leading multiple lawmakers to publicly reject the current DHS funding measure.
Independent Senator Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats, told CBS’ “Face the Nation” that while he dislikes shutdowns, he cannot support a bill that funds ICE under current conditions. King suggested separating DHS funding from bills for other agencies so that most government operations could remain open. “Let’s have an honest negotiation. Put guardrails on what’s happening, add accountability, and that would solve the problem,” he said.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada expressed similar concerns, saying the current DHS bill provides “no accountability” and backing the idea of keeping other government functions funded while reworking DHS measures.
Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have not indicated any plans to separate DHS funding from other appropriations. With a 53-seat GOP majority, the party will still need at least a handful of Democrats to pass the bill. If GOP Senator Rand Paul votes against it, as expected, at least eight Democrats must support the measure to prevent a shutdown.
Several Democratic senators have publicly opposed the current DHS bill. Senators Tim Kaine and Jacky Rosen insist they will not vote for funding unless it includes safeguards to limit aggressive immigration enforcement. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan have not committed to blocking the bill but have voiced concerns about ICE activities.
Senator John Fetterman has yet to declare his vote. While he opposes shutdowns, he has also criticized extreme positions within the party, warning colleagues to avoid measures that could deepen political gridlock.
Last year’s 43-day government shutdown highlighted the stakes. During that period, thousands of federal employees were furloughed, flights were canceled, and critical services were disrupted. Many Democrats who previously compromised now seek new conditions on ICE funding as part of DHS appropriations.
Senator Chris Murphy emphasized the importance of reform, saying Democrats will only fund DHS if the bill includes measures to “save and protect lives” in U.S. cities. “Democrats are not going to vote to fund this version of DHS, but if we get serious reforms, then we’ll come to the table,” Murphy said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
Complicating matters, a major snowstorm has delayed the Senate’s first vote of the week until Tuesday evening. The House is also in recess, creating a narrow window for Congress to approve funding before Friday’s deadline. Lawmakers face pressure to negotiate quickly or risk shutting down critical government departments.
With rising public scrutiny and safety concerns, the fate of DHS funding remains uncertain. Democrats insist accountability measures are needed before supporting the bill, while Republicans continue to push for passage of the full funding package. The coming days will determine whether Congress can avert a government shutdown amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement and public safety.
