Democrats Draw Line on Homeland Security Funding After Minneapolis Shooting

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security has become a flashpoint in Congressional negotiations, threatening a partial government shutdown as the January 30 deadline looms. While some Democrats were already hesitant about supporting DHS funding, Saturday’s killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents has solidified opposition among previously undecided lawmakers and hardened the stance of those already opposed.

The political stakes are particularly high for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who faced significant backlash from progressives last March when he and other Democratic senators helped Republicans clear a filibuster to avoid a shutdown. That decision put Schumer at odds with House Democratic leaders who had expected a stronger fight over government spending priorities.

In the current standoff, Democrats have taken a firm position. “Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included,” Schumer declared after the shooting. Democrats are urging Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to separate the DHS funding bill from the rest of the $1.2 trillion spending package that includes funding for the Pentagon, Health and Human Services, Labor & Housing programs, Transportation and Education.

The House has already passed the funding legislation in a complex maneuver that first required breaking off the controversial DHS bill. The DHS funding measure passed narrowly with a 220-207 vote that included only seven Democratic votes in favor. The remaining five appropriations bills passed with broader bipartisan support, 341-88. The House then combined all six bills into a single package before sending it to the Senate and adjourning.

Senator Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats and who helped reopen the government last fall, exemplifies the shifting positions. King has now stated he cannot support the funding package as constituted, citing concerns over DHS operations.

Complicating matters is the parliamentary process required to separate the bills at this late stage. Breaking apart the six-bill package would require Senate agreement on a “motion to strike” the DHS section, which itself could face a filibuster requiring 60 votes to overcome. Even if successful, the Senate would then need to pass the five-bill package and separately address DHS funding—a process that would almost certainly extend beyond the Saturday deadline.

“What Schumer is proposing would spark a government shutdown,” explained congressional experts familiar with the procedural challenges. Any modified legislation would also need to return to the House for approval, which introduces additional uncertainty given that chamber’s struggles to pass the original package.

Adding another layer of complexity, much of the funding that Democrats oppose is already secured through previous legislation. Republicans approved $75 billion for border security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through 2029 in previous legislation, converting “discretionary spending” into “mandatory appropriation.” This means Democratic efforts to block DHS funding now would have limited impact on ICE operations, though they could potentially demand policy changes and additional oversight.

If the government partially shuts down on Saturday morning as increasingly appears likely, the consequences would extend well beyond immigration enforcement. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and air traffic controllers would again face working without pay—a particularly challenging situation following recent major winter storms that disrupted air travel nationwide.

The political calculations are complex for both parties. Republicans worry about losing voter support due to controversial ICE tactics, while Democrats risk being blamed for another government shutdown if they withhold their votes. While progressives might applaud a principled stand against DHS funding, moderate voters could punish Democrats if they’re seen as responsible for disrupting government services.

With the deadline rapidly approaching and positions hardening on both sides, finding a path to avoid a partial government shutdown appears increasingly difficult. As one congressional observer noted, “This is a tough situation all around. And there’s not an obvious off-ramp.”