WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats are blocking a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, raising the chance of a partial government shutdown by the end of the week. The standoff centers on demands for changes to ICE enforcement practices, especially in Minneapolis, while the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged despite calls from President Trump to cut them.
Background
The fight over DHS funding comes down to a Friday deadline for a short-term spending bill. House Republicans passed a package that includes money for homeland security, defense, health programs, and transportation. Democrats in the Senate say they will not approve it without fixes to what they call unlawful actions by DHS agents.
Tensions boiled over after the killing of Alex Pretti, an American citizen in Minneapolis. Lawmakers from both parties point to ICE officers carrying out street patrols, stopping people based on looks or speech, and entering homes without warrants. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, spoke on the Senate floor this week about deaths linked to these operations and chaos in cities.
Murphy, who helps oversee homeland security spending, said the Trump administration shuffled leaders in Minneapolis but nothing improved on the ground. Local police in Minnesota told him they spend more time cleaning up after ICE than handling regular crime. ICE now has more officers in the city than police do.
This is not just about one city. Reports show similar patrols in other places, with agents acting like secret police. Until recently, ICE needed warrants to detain people suspected of being in the country illegally. Now, they roam freely, leading to arrests without clear cause.
On the economic side, the Federal Reserve faced its own pressure. Inflation remains high, with prices for food, housing, and energy still climbing. President Trump urged the Fed to lower rates to boost growth and help his agenda. But Fed leaders stuck to their plan, holding rates steady to bring prices under control.
House Republicans tout their spending package as a win. They say it strengthens borders, pays troops more, and cuts waste compared to past budgets. The bill covers full-year funding for key areas and avoids last-minute deals. Still, Senate Democrats see the homeland section as a blank check for practices they oppose.
Key Details
Democrats want three main changes tied to any DHS funding:
- End roving patrols where agents stop people on streets based on skin color or accent.
- Require warrants before detaining anyone suspected of immigration violations.
- Set up accountability, like independent probes into deaths and abuses.
Minneapolis Focus
The spotlight is on Minneapolis after Alex Pretti's death. DHS refuses to let state investigators look into it fully. Murphy said this blocks any real check on whether a crime took place. Colleagues from Minnesota report no drop in problems despite a leadership change there.
"People all across this country are demanding that if we are going to fund the Department of Homeland Security, we only fund a department that is acting lawfully and morally," Senator Chris Murphy said on the Senate floor. "This seems to be a moment where the country has just decided that what's happening in Minneapolis is wrong."
Senator Adam Schiff, another Democrat, faced questions on whether his party would let a shutdown happen. He said the risk is real if Republicans refuse even basic reforms.
Republicans argue the funding boosts border security and empowers agents to deport criminals. The House bill adds personnel, training, and tech for borders, ports, and cyber threats. They say past weak policies caused the border issues and this fixes them.
For the Fed, the decision came after reviewing job data and price trends. Unemployment is low, but inflation hovers above targets. Cutting rates now could spark more price jumps. Trump called it a mistake, saying lower rates would help families and businesses.
The spending bill also funds defense with new weapons and troop pay raises. Health spending goes to research and rural hospitals. Transportation gets money for air traffic control and roads.
Democrats offered a short list of reforms they think both sides can accept. Republicans so far say no changes, calling the demands poison pills.
What This Means
A partial shutdown would close some DHS operations, like parts of border patrol and disaster response. Essential services stay open, but furloughs hit workers. This happened before over similar fights.
Public support leans toward Democrats' view, per Murphy. Polls show worry over immigration enforcement turning into overreach. Cities face strain from federal agents taking over local policing.
If no deal by Friday, talks stretch into next week. House leaders push for quick passage to avoid chaos. Senate action decides it.
On rates, steady policy means borrowing stays costly for homes and cars. Businesses hold off on big hires. Trump pressure highlights split between White House growth push and Fed independence.
Longer term, this tests Trump's second-term priorities. Border security is key, but backlash over methods grows. Reforms could pass if narrowed, but shutdown blame falls on the side that digs in.
Lawmakers from border states watch closely. Some Republicans voice quiet concern over ICE tactics. Bipartisan ground might emerge on warrants and probes.
The Fed's move buys time to watch data. If jobs weaken or prices drop, cuts could come later. For now, it signals caution amid political heat.
Americans in cities like Minneapolis live with daily effects. Fewer patrols might ease tensions, but security gaps worry others. Funding delay hits agents' pay and readiness.
Both fights show deep divides in Washington. Spending battles repeat yearly, but this one ties to hot-button enforcement. Outcomes shape policy for months ahead.
