Key Senator Blocks DHS Funding as Immigration Agents Deploy in His State

In a significant blow to efforts aimed at avoiding a partial government shutdown, Independent Senator Angus King of Maine announced Sunday that he will not support the proposed Department of Homeland Security funding bill, dramatically increasing the likelihood of another federal closure by week’s end.

King, who played a pivotal role in ending the previous government shutdown as one of only eight Democratic caucus members to cross party lines, cited the recent shooting death of a Minneapolis nurse by a border patrol agent as his reason for opposing the legislation.

“I hate shutdowns,” King told CBS’ Face the Nation. “I’m one of the people that helped negotiate the solution to the last shutdown, but I can’t vote for a bill that includes ICE funding under the circumstances.”

The 37-year-old nurse, Alex Pretti, was fatally shot by a border patrol agent in Minneapolis on Saturday, igniting fury among congressional Democrats who have been increasingly critical of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across the country.

King’s opposition comes just after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that Senate Democrats would withdraw their previously reluctant support for the legislation. The timing is particularly consequential as funding for several federal agencies expires this Friday.

The situation is further complicated by ICE agents recently entering King’s home state of Maine as part of “Operation Catch of the Day,” adding a local dimension to the senator’s concerns. The operation occurs as Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills is campaigning to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins in a race that could determine control of the Senate.

King proposed what he called an “easy way out” of the funding impasse: Senate Majority Leader John Thune could separate the DHS funding bill from the remaining five bills in the package, allowing lawmakers to vote on them separately.

However, even if the Senate were to adopt this approach, the House of Representatives – which isn’t scheduled to return to Washington until next month – would still need to approve any changes, making a partial shutdown by Friday increasingly inevitable without a last-minute compromise.

“Let’s have an honest negotiation,” King urged. “Put some guardrails on what’s going on, some accountability, and that would solve this problem. We don’t have to have a shutdown.”

The standoff over DHS funding reflects broader tensions regarding immigration enforcement policies that have intensified during this election year. Congressional Democrats have increasingly voiced concerns about ICE operations in various communities, with some like Representative Ilhan Omar vowing “not to give ICE a single cent” in the ongoing funding battle.

The potential shutdown would affect only those agencies covered in the six-bill funding package currently under consideration. Other federal operations would continue under previously approved appropriations bills.

This political deadlock occurs against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics. Critics argue that ICE operations have become increasingly aggressive, while supporters maintain such measures are necessary for border security and immigration law enforcement.

Financial analysts warn that even a partial government shutdown could create market uncertainty and economic disruption, particularly for federal contractors and businesses that rely on regular government operations. Previous shutdowns have cost the U.S. economy billions in lost productivity and economic output.

As the Friday deadline approaches, negotiations are expected to intensify, with both parties under pressure to reach an agreement that addresses border security concerns while providing adequate oversight of enforcement agencies like ICE.