Schumer says Democrats will block funding package if it includes DHS money after Minneapolis shooting

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats will block an upcoming government funding package if it includes money for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the department that oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The warning came after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by a federal officer during an incident that has sparked national anger and protests. Schumer said the situation in Minnesota is unacceptable and argued the DHS bill, as currently written, fails to rein in what Democrats describe as abuses by ICE.

The threat raises the risk of another partial government shutdown, because the broader package—covering multiple agencies—would need 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a filibuster. With Republicans holding 53 seats, Democrats can deny the votes needed to proceed. The package described in reporting included $64.4 billion for DHS, including $10 billion for ICE. In the hours after the shooting, additional Democrats publicly signaled opposition, including senators who had previously been willing to support bipartisan deals to keep the government funded.

Democrats said they want guardrails on federal immigration enforcement, including proposals such as requiring judicial warrants for home entries, expanding training and ensuring officers are identifiable and accountable. Some lawmakers also pushed for explicit prohibitions on using funds to detain or deport U.S. citizens, though Republicans rejected that measure, according to the reporting. Republicans defended the department and the agent involved, while Democrats argued the current approach is fueling unrest and eroding trust between communities and federal law enforcement.

Schumer said Democrats “will not provide the votes” to proceed if the DHS funding bill is included in the broader package.

Even if DHS funding is held up, the immediate operational impact on ICE is uncertain. The reporting noted that a previous domestic policy bill signed in 2025 included a large supplemental pool of money for ICE that could potentially be tapped in the short term if appropriations lapse. Still, Democrats argue their leverage is in the appropriations vote itself, using the threat of delay to force oversight and policy constraints, while trying to avoid being blamed for a shutdown.

Senate Democrats were expected to meet to discuss next steps, including whether separating DHS funding from the rest of the package could allow the remaining bills to move forward. The debate sets up a confrontation over immigration enforcement, accountability and the limits of federal authority in cities where large protests are erupting. The next procedural votes in the Senate will be a key test of whether leaders can find a workaround or whether the funding fight escalates into a shutdown standoff.