Democrats block government funding package in Senate as negotiations continue to avert a shutdown

Senate Democrats blocked legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other federal agencies on Thursday, intensifying negotiations with Republicans and the White House over new restrictions on immigration enforcement as a potential government shutdown looms.

The measure failed on a 45-55 test vote with funding set to expire Friday. President Donald Trump indicated before the vote that his administration is working to avoid a shutdown. “We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting. “We don’t want a shutdown.”

Both sides are discussing a compromise that would separate homeland security funding from the rest of the legislation. Under this arrangement, Homeland Security would receive short-term funding to allow for continued negotiations, while other agencies would be funded through September.

The standoff comes as the country grapples with the deaths of two protesters, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, at the hands of federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. The incident has galvanized Democratic opposition to what they describe as excessive enforcement tactics by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has demanded significant reforms to immigration enforcement operations. “The American people support law enforcement. They support border security. They do not support ICE terrorizing our streets and killing American citizens,” Schumer said.

Democrats have laid out specific demands, including requiring agents to remove masks and identify themselves, wear body cameras, obtain proper warrants for arrests, and follow a strict code of conduct. They also want to end what Schumer called “roving patrols” in cities and require better coordination with local law enforcement.

“Boil it all down, what we are talking about is that these lawless ICE agents should be following the same rules that your local police department does,” said Minnesota Senator Tina Smith. “There has to be accountability.”

The current political climate reflects heightened tensions just two months after the previous government shutdown, which lasted 43 days and ended when moderate Democrats broke ranks to strike a deal with Republicans. This time, Democratic lawmakers appear more unified in their opposition following the Minneapolis deaths.

Tom Homan, the president’s border czar, said earlier Thursday that federal immigration officials are working on a plan to reduce the number of agents in Minnesota, contingent on cooperation from state authorities. However, it remains unclear whether these assurances will satisfy Democratic demands.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., expressed cautious optimism about ongoing negotiations. “We’re getting closer,” he said on the Senate floor Thursday morning.

Significant obstacles to an agreement remain. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent who caucuses with Democrats, has stated that Congress should not provide “another penny” to ICE until Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is fired.

Meanwhile, House Republicans have signaled resistance to any changes to the bill they passed last week. The conservative House Freedom Caucus wrote to Trump on Tuesday that its members stand with him and ICE, insisting that “the package will not come back through the House without funding for the Department of Homeland Security.”

Several Republican senators have indicated they would support separating Homeland Security funding for further debate while passing the other appropriations. However, Democrats may struggle to find broad GOP support for their proposed reforms to immigration enforcement operations.

North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis expressed opposition to requiring immigration officers to show their faces, citing safety concerns. “There’s a lot of vicious people out there, and they’ll take a picture of your face, and the next thing you know, your children or your wife or your husband are being threatened at home,” Tillis said.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham warned on social media that if Democrats try to make changes, he would push for new language preventing local governments from resisting federal immigration enforcement.

As the deadline approaches, the prospect of another government shutdown looms large, with Democrats holding firm on their demands for accountability measures. “It is truly a moral moment,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “I think we need to take a stand.”