WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats are threatening to block legislation that would fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies Thursday, potentially bringing the government a step closer to a partial shutdown if Republicans and the White House do not agree to new restrictions on President Donald Trump’s surge of immigration enforcement.
Amid the stirring public outcry over the deaths of two protesters at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis, agitated Senate Democrats have articulated a list of demands, including the requirement for officers to identify themselves and secure warrants for arrests. They warn that failure to meet these criteria will lead to blocking the significant spending proposal, jeopardizing its passage before the impending shutdown at midnight Friday.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer emphasized that Democrats would not grant necessary votes until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is restructured appropriately. “The American people support law enforcement, they support border security, they do not support ICE terrorizing our streets and killing American citizens,” Schumer remarked.
There have been indications of possible bipartisan engagement, with the White House showing some willingness to negotiate with Democrats to prevent a shutdown. Talks are reportedly ongoing, considering options that would see ICE funding separated from the larger legislative package.
Still, with contentious discussions and an unclear path ahead, the possibility of another government shutdown looms as tensions remain high among party lines following recent deadly incidents attributed to federal enforcement actions.
Democrats express a unified stance in pushing for accountability measures on ICE, advocating for their agents to adhere to common law enforcement standards.
As negotiations continue, the situation remains fluid, with various proposals on the table aimed at averting a political crisis.
