Senate Democrats have threatened to block the passage of the appropriations bill funding the government after the deadly shooting involving U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on Saturday.
In a statement on Saturday night, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) vowed a blockade against the legislation if the funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security is not in some way amended, now calling it “woefully inadequate” after a 37-year-old man was shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration operation.
“What’s happening in Minnesota is appalling — and unacceptable in any American city. Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans’ refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE. I will vote no. Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included,” he said.
Another government shutdown now looms large, with senators staring down a Jan. 30 deadline to pass the remaining funding bills. Republicans will needs some Democrats’ support given the 60-vote threshold to pass the bill and their small majority.
The DHS bill narrowly passed the House last week, as Democrats battled over how to address recent incidents involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including the officer-involved shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this month.
Now, the Senate is poised to grapple with the same question after 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent while briefly intervening in an immigration operation.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE FATAL SHOOTING INVOLVING BORDER PATROL IN MINNESOTA
Some Senate Democrats, including Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Jack Reed (D-RI), suggested dropping the bill entirely and instead pass the other five remaining bills. Others, like Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), have pitched vague “controls” and “guardrails” to “hold ICE accountable.”
While a unified strategy has not yet taken shape, Senate Democrats will reportedly huddle on Sunday evening to discuss strategy ahead of what is a likely shutdown fight.
