By Ginika Igboke

As a Friday deadline to fund the federal government approaches, Senate Republicans are pressing Democrats to clarify their demands on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding in hopes of breaking a growing impasse and avoiding a shutdown.

Uncertainty dominated Capitol Hill on Tuesday as Democrats rallied against funding DHS without significant reforms, though party leaders have yet to coalesce around a single, detailed proposal outlining what those changes should include.

The dispute centers on a $1.2 trillion spending package passed by the House last week that would fund DHS along with the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. Until recently, the so-called “minibus” bill appeared on track for Senate passage, with leaders in both parties signaling a desire to avoid a repeat of the 43-day government shutdown in 2025.

Momentum shifted following the shooting of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, by Customs and Border Protection agents in Minneapolis. In response, Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), pledged to oppose the DHS portion of the funding package.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for a “very honorable and honest investigation” into the incident and said he wanted to reduce tensions in Minnesota. The administration has since withdrawn Greg Bovino, the Border Patrol commander overseeing operations in the Twin Cities, and replaced him with border czar Tom Homan.

Despite those steps, Democrats say they remain unconvinced and are demanding legislative reforms before supporting any bill that includes DHS funding.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has said Republicans intend to proceed with advancing the spending package as a single bill, at least for now.

Asked what would happen if the bill fails, Thune replied that Republicans would move to a “Plan B,” without offering details. Lawmakers on both sides acknowledged Tuesday that such an alternative may be necessary, though what it would look like remains unclear.

In the meantime, Thune and other Republicans say Democrats need to be more specific.

“If Democrats can define what it is they want—and right now that seems to be kind of a moving target—it would be very helpful if they could give some definition of what it is they want,” Thune said.

Schumer Pushes for Standalone Votes

Schumer has proposed separating DHS funding from the broader spending package, allowing the Senate to vote individually on each appropriations bill. When announcing his opposition last week, Schumer said Senate Democrats “will not provide the votes to proceed” if DHS funding remains included.

Speaking on the Senate floor Tuesday, Schumer reiterated that position, citing what he described as abuses by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and broader concerns about the administration’s approach.

“The Senate must not pass the DHS budget as currently written,” Schumer said, arguing it should be rewritten to rein in and overhaul ICE. He added that he would vote against any legislation that funds ICE in its current form, noting that Democrats are “overwhelmingly united” on the issue.

Schumer urged Thune to allow votes on the five other, less controversial spending bills, saying their passage would fund “96 percent of the federal government.”

“If Leader Thune agrees to split the bills … I’m confident they will sail through the chamber,” Schumer said.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) echoed that call, telling reporters that Democrats would provide the votes to pass the five bills if DHS funding were separated, even if DHS funding temporarily lapsed while negotiations continued.

GOP Warns of Risks in Splitting the Package

Thune pushed back on the proposal, calling it “risky” and warning that breaking up the package could complicate the process, particularly if the legislation had to return to the House.

His concerns come as some moderate House Democrats who supported the original bill, including Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), have since distanced themselves from that vote. In the current political climate, an amended bill could face difficulty securing enough Democratic support if sent back to the House.

Thune suggested an alternative approach could involve considering reforms through separate legislative vehicles without reopening or splitting the spending package, signaling some openness to compromise.

Reform Ideas Begin to Emerge

While Democrats have not unified around a single proposal, several senators outlined potential reforms they say could unlock support for DHS funding.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) cited priorities such as an independent investigation into Pretti’s shooting, ending roving patrols in Minneapolis, expanding the use of body cameras, and improving training.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said he has been drafting reform language, particularly related to warrant requirements.

Kaine said Democrats are considering measures to limit federal enforcement actions without coordination with state and local authorities and pointed to his own legislation that would bar immigration officials from wearing masks or entering homes without warrants.

“There’s a lot of reforms on the table,” Kaine said, adding that Democrats are aiming to narrow them to a focused set that would place meaningful restraints on potential abuses.

Republicans Signal Openness to Changes

Some Republicans indicated they are open to discussing reforms. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) supported calls for a thorough investigation into the shooting and said his priority is preventing a shutdown, which he described as harmful to working Americans.

Hawley said he plans to vote for DHS funding but added that if Democrats block the bill, Republicans should seek a compromise to keep the government open.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) criticized DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, suggesting she was “way out of her depth,” and called for changes in enforcement tactics, particularly to improve de-escalation and refocus efforts on deporting criminal offenders.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she has urged Noem to pause intensified enforcement efforts in Minnesota and Maine until there is greater clarity and focus.

With the funding deadline fast approaching, lawmakers from both parties face mounting pressure to bridge the divide—or risk a partial government shutdown.