WASHINGTON — With federal funding set to expire at midnight on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, Senate Democrats are warning they will not help move a large appropriations package forward if it includes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) bill — a threat that has pushed the prospect of a partial government shutdown back into view.
The Democratic position hardened after the Jan. 24 killing of Alex Pretti, an intensive-care nurse in Minnesota, during a confrontation with federal immigration personnel. Democrats say the incident underscores a broader failure of oversight and accountability as immigration enforcement expands in U.S. cities.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats will not supply the votes needed to proceed if DHS funding stays inside the broader package. The Senate typically needs 60 votes to clear major procedural hurdles, which means Republicans, despite holding the majority, require at least some Democratic support to keep the process moving.
The shutdown risk is not hypothetical. Only some spending bills have been enacted, while others remain unfinished. If lawmakers miss the deadline, the agencies funded by the remaining bills would see a lapse — even if other parts of the government continue operating under already-approved appropriations.
Democrats argue that DHS funding cannot be treated as routine while concerns about federal conduct in Minnesota remain unresolved. They want the DHS bill separated so the Senate can pass other funding items without being forced to accept DHS spending terms they say fail to rein in ICE and related agencies.
Republicans counter that separating DHS from the larger package is procedurally difficult and could consume the final days before the deadline, especially if any change forces the legislation back to the House for another vote. Some GOP aides have signaled they prefer to move the package as-is and pressure Democrats to avoid the political fallout of a shutdown.
The clash is unfolding as immigration enforcement has become a central political flashpoint. In Minnesota, the federal response to protests and the handling of the shooting have drawn scrutiny from local officials and national lawmakers, fueling a broader debate about the limits of federal power and the standards governing use of force.
For now, the timeline is unforgiving: the Senate has days — not weeks — to resolve the impasse. If neither side budges, lawmakers could face a choice between splitting bills at the last minute, passing a short-term stopgap, or entering a partial shutdown that disrupts services and deepens partisan tensions.