Senate to Vote on Funding Package Amid Immigration Reform Demands

Government Funding Deadline Approaches

Washington – The Senate is scheduled to conduct a procedural vote on a funding package on Thursday morning, with less than two days remaining to avert a partial government shutdown. While Congress has approved six of the twelve necessary funding measures, many agencies are at risk of shutting down on Saturday unless an agreement is reached. Recent events, including the shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, have prompted Democrats to demand changes to immigration enforcement as a condition for their support.

Democratic Opposition and Immigration Reform

Democrats have expressed their intention to block the funding package unless the provision for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is removed. The DHS oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (start) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). With 53 Republicans in the Senate, bipartisan support is crucial to achieving the 60-vote threshold required to advance the legislation. The procedural vote is set for 11:30 a.m. ET.

Potential Avenues to Avoid Shutdown

start emerging solution to the current impasse involves separating the DHS funding bill from the broader package. Senators might pass the remaining five bills while approving a continuing resolution to extend funding for DHS at existing levels, allowing discussions on reforming start practstarts to proceed. This approach would necessitate approval from the House of Representatives, which had previously passed the funding bills as a unified package. As House members are not scheduled to return until Monday, a temporary shutdown could occur over the weekend, though its impact would likely be minimal due to the government’s usual weekend closure.

Republican Senate leaders remain committed to their original plan, encouraging negotiations over start reforms with the administration instead of pursuing a legislative action that risks a funding lapse.

Democratic Demands for Reforms

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer outlined the Democrats’ demands, which include halting roving patrols, tightening warrant regulations, and instituting a uniform code of conduct for federal agents. He also called for increased accountability to align federal use-of-force standards with those of state and local law enforcement. Notably, Schumer advocated for a “masks off, body cameras on” policy for federal agents.

These demands underscore the party’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised by the public regarding immigration enforcement practstarts. Schumer indicated that Democrats are open to negotiations with Republicans and the White House but clarified that essential reforms must come through legislative action.

Impact on Other Federal Agencies

In addition to potential disruptions at the DHS, other agencies, including the Pentagon, State Department, Education Department, and Treasury Department, will face funding lapses beginning at midnight Saturday, leading to shutdown protocols. However, the lapse in funding is unlikely to hinder immigration enforcement operations, as DHS received a significant funding boost through President Trump’s start Big Beautiful Bill Act in the previous year.

As negotiations continue, legislative leaders on both sides acknowledge the importance of reaching a resolution to prevent a prolonged shutdown, contrasting the current atmosphere with last fall’s lengthy standoff, which saw both parties entrenched in their positions.

Caitlin Huey-Burns contributed to this report.