Senate Democrats have indicated their intentions that they will oppose a federal funding package supporting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a federal agent in Minneapolis on Saturday. The move places the government at risk of a partial shutdown as Friday’s funding deadline approaches.
The legislation at issue, which passed the House with bipartisan backing, includes $64.4 billion for the DHS, with $10 billion allocated for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Democrats will block the measure, citing dissatisfaction with what he described as insufficient limits on ICE activity. Schumer indicated that no Democratic votes would be provided for the spending bill as long as the DHS provision remained in place.
House approval came after seven Democrats, many representing competitive districts, joined most Republicans to move the measure forward and avert a shutdown. These lawmakers cited concerns about the disruptive effects of a government closure despite growing controversy over federal immigration enforcement tactics. The latest incident—the killing of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti—has increased backlash, with activist pressure mounting after videos showed Pretti holding a cellphone, not a weapon, at the time he was shot.
The Senate must now secure at least eight Democratic votes, given the current Republican majority and opposition from at least one GOP Senator, to meet the 60-vote threshold for passage. If no agreement is reached before Friday at midnight, sections of the government will begin to shut down.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a federal judge has issued a temporary order preventing DHS from destroying or altering evidence related to the case. While DHS maintains the agent acted in self-defense, Minnesota’s governor has publicly challenged this account after reviewing video footage of the incident.
No updated timeline for renewed negotiations in the Senate has been set as the Friday deadline draws near.
