Senate Democrats vow to block DHS funding bill after Minnesota shooting, raising partial shutdown risk


Senate Democrats Threaten to Block DHS Funding Over Minnesota Shooting, Heightening Partial Government Shutdown Concerns

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer described the events unfolding in Minnesota as “appalling.”

WASHINGTON — In the wake of a federal officer’s fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis, amid intensified immigration enforcement by the Trump administration, Schumer announced that Senate Democrats are unwilling to support a funding bill that allocates resources to the Department of Homeland Security.

Schumer’s stance raises the likelihood of a partial government shutdown looming on January 30, when current funding expires. On Saturday, numerous Democrats expressed their intent to oppose the bipartisan spending package, which requires some Democratic support to pass.

Democrats argue that the proposed legislation, which finances a wide range of government functions, fails to impose sufficient limitations on ICE activities.

Schumer reiterated his view on the Minnesota situation, calling it “appalling.”

“Democrats pushed for pragmatic reforms within the Department of Homeland Security’s budget, but due to the Republicans’ unwillingness to challenge President Trump, the DHS bill falls far short in controlling ICE’s overreaches,” Schumer stated emphatically. “I will cast a no vote.”

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto said Saturday that she too would not vote for legislation in the Senate that would fund DHS. 

In doing so, Cortez Masto joined fellow Nevada Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen. The two moderates broke with their party last year on a vote over the last government shutdown.

Others like Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii have said in the wake of the shooting that they would oppose a DHS funding bill that is part of a spending package in the Senate that aims to avoid a partial government shutdown at the end of the month.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

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