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The US Senate has blocked a sweeping spending bill, bringing the government close to a partial shutdown, due to the Trump administration's tough anti-immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
This Thursday, bipartisan senators refused to advance a massive funding package, as negotiations to avoid a costly government shutdown continued into the weekend. Democrats, pushing for changes to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies after Alex Pretti's fatal incident with federal agents in Minneapolis, voted against advancing the package that included six bills.
Instead, Democrats are demanding that funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which houses ICE, be separated from the rest of the package, allowing for its renegotiation. Seven conservatives joined Democrats, resulting in a 45-55 vote to block the package from moving forward. Senate Majority Leader John Thune changed his vote to “no” to allow for a later vote.
If the Senate fails to convince all 100 senators to split the DHS package, several critical agencies, including Defense, Health and Human Services, Labor, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, could face funding shortfalls. If a deal is reached, final approval by both chambers could be delayed until Monday.
As of Thursday morning, leaders of both parties and the White House were closing in on a compromise. A negotiated proposal would provide full funding for the rest of the agencies through the end of September, while funding for DHS would be temporary, allowing negotiations to continue.
Majority Leader John Thune expressed optimism: “We’re getting close. I hope it happens. If Senate Democrats and Republicans and the White House resolve this issue, they will be able to secure the votes needed to pass the package.”
Meanwhile, Democratic leader Chuck Schumer presented his group's demands for changes to ICE tactics and protocols, including limiting the use of arrest warrants, ending mobile patrols, implementing a code of conduct comparable to state and local law enforcement policies, and the use of cameras and removal of masks by ICE agents.
Even if a partial shutdown occurs and DHS is not fully funded, ICE will continue to operate through funding stemming from President Trump's domestic policy package, passed last summer.
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