The U.S. Senate blocked a major government funding bill Thursday (January 29) as Democrats and Republicans clashed over immigration enforcement, putting the government at risk of a partial shutdown by the weekend. The vote failed after all Senate Democrats opposed advancing the six-bill package, insisting on changes to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a nurse, by federal agents in Minneapolis last weekend.
According to a formal list unveiled by Senate Democrats Wednesday, their demands for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spending bill include stricter rules on the use of warrants, mandatory body cameras, visible agent identification, and independent investigations into incidents like the Pretti shooting. As reported by the Washington Post, these policy changes were presented after a closed-door caucus meeting, marking the first unified strategy since the shooting.
Democratic leaders said they would not allow the funding package to advance unless the DHS bill was separated and reworked. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer described the current bill as “woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE,” adding that “Democrats sought common sense reforms” but would not support the legislation without them.
The White House and Senate Republicans have reached out to Democrats in last-minute negotiations, but no agreement has been reached. Republicans argue that separating the DHS funding bill would require sending the entire package back to the House, complicating efforts as the deadline for avoiding a shutdown approaches. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters it is “to be determined” what happens if the current bill fails, while Republicans privately hope that a short shutdown could lead to a quick compromise next week, according to Politico.
The standoff comes amid growing scrutiny of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies following two fatal ICE-involved shootings in Minneapolis this month. While federal officials defended the agents’ actions as justified, Democrats and some Republicans are calling for independent investigations and new oversight measures.
If the Senate does not act by midnight Friday, funding for DHS and several other agencies will lapse. However, most of the government, including the Departments of Justice, Commerce, and Agriculture, will continue operating under previously enacted spending bills signed by President Donald Trump.
The House is currently out of session and would need to reconvene if amendments are made to the funding package. The path forward remains uncertain, with both parties under pressure to resolve the impasse and prevent disruption to key government services.
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