By Emmanuel Bobby
Senators met privately Wednesday to search for ways to avert a government shutdown this weekend, as both parties acknowledged that a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security cannot pass the Senate in its current form.
A funding package approved by the House last week has been thrown into doubt following the killing of Alex Pretti by DHS agents in Minnesota over the weekend. The public backlash has led Democrats — and at least one Republican — to argue that DHS should not receive full funding without policy changes.
With a deadline of 11:59 p.m. ET Friday, lawmakers face a tight window to craft a solution capable of securing the 60 votes needed in the Senate.
One proposal gaining traction would fund DHS temporarily through a short-term continuing resolution while Congress negotiates reforms to the department, alongside passing the five remaining appropriations bills to keep the rest of the government funded through Sept. 30.
“It’s an item that has been discussed on both sides,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D.
Rounds cautioned, however, that the plan would only move forward “if the president is on board first.” The White House has not publicly commented on the idea.
“We’re open. We recognize that if we do nothing, then we have a government shutdown, which nobody wants,” Rounds said, noting that passing five of the six bills would fund more than 90% of the federal government, leaving only DHS unresolved.
Several Republican senators said they could support that approach, but emphasized that White House approval would be essential.
“We have to have an open mind on the options,” said Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D. “But obviously, the White House has to decide and tell us what they want.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., also left the door open to the idea but suggested Democrats would need to negotiate directly with the administration.
“These are all hypotheticals at this point,” Thune said, adding that a shutdown — partial or otherwise — “is not in anybody’s interest.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement of engaging in “state-sanctioned thuggery” and outlined three Democratic demands for DHS reforms: ending “roving patrols” and tightening warrant rules, establishing a uniform code of conduct, and requiring agents to remove masks, carry identification and wear body cameras.
Schumer pushed Thune to strip DHS funding from the broader package and move forward with the rest, arguing Republicans could immediately fund 96% of the government.
Asked whether he would support a short-term DHS funding bill while negotiations continue, Schumer did not give a direct answer but insisted that any lapse in funding would be Republicans’ responsibility.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he wants firm safeguards on ICE operations, including judicial warrants, mandatory body cameras and civil liability for officers who violate the law. Still, he said he could support a temporary DHS funding measure as a last resort to avoid a shutdown — provided reform talks move forward.
“My priority is safeguards to protect against the kind of physical violence and violations of rights we’ve seen,” Blumenthal said.
On the Republican side, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., chair of the Homeland Security Committee, said ICE should not receive additional funding without reforms or an independent investigation into Pretti’s killing.
“I don’t want to defund ICE, but I’m not sure I want to give them billions more without rules of the game,” Paul said.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., echoed support for separating DHS funding from the rest of the package, calling it “the smart play” to avoid a shutdown.
Others were skeptical. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said he believes it will be “all or nothing” and predicted President Trump would oppose splitting off DHS funding.
Even if senators reach a last-minute agreement, a brief funding lapse remains possible. Any changes to the six-bill package passed by the House would need House approval, but the chamber is in recess until Monday. Lawmakers say a short lapse could have minimal impact if a deal is quickly finalized.
Still, uncertainty remains. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, questioned whether the House could pass the bills separately.
“I think there’s a real question whether the House could pass those bills on their own,” Cornyn said. “It’s a miracle we got this far.”
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