Senate Democrats are vowing to oppose a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security — even if it triggers a partial government shutdown — in the aftermath of Saturday’s fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minnesota by ICE agents.
Lawmakers had planned to take up the measure, which includes funding for Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But Democrats now say they will not provide the votes needed to move forward if DHS funding remains in the legislation.
“Well, I’m not giving ICE or border patrol another dime, given how these agencies are operating,” Sen. Adam Schiff of California said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “Democrats are not going to fund that.”
“I think anyone who votes to give them more money to do this will share in the responsibility and see more Americans die in our cities as a result,” Mr. Schiff said.
Republicans are weighing whether they can strip Homeland Security funding from the broader package, which includes funding for the departments of Defense, Labor and Health and Human Services.
The scrutiny on DHS funding intensified earlier this month after Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by ICE in Minneapolis — and the death of Mr. Pretti has only heightened that scrutiny.
SEE ALSO: Top Border Patrol official says Alex Pretti to blame for being fatally shot by ICE agents
“What’s happening in Minnesota is appalling — and unacceptable in any American city,” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said in a statement after Saturday’s shooting. “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.”
“Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included,” the New York Democrat added.
Sen. Chris Murphy, Connecticut Democrat, said Sunday that lawmakers should not support voting to “fund this lawless Department of Homeland Security.”
“We cannot fund a department of homeland security that is murdering American citizens, that is traumatizing little boys and girls all across the country in violation of the law,” he said.
Mr. Murphy said that could change if Republicans are willing to support “serious reforms that save and protect lives in our cities.”
