Senate Democrats face pressure to reject DHS funding after Minnesota shooting
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A deadly shooting in Minnesota involving federal agents enforcing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies has increased pressure on Senate Democrats to block funding and possibly shut down the government again. The incident follows a succession of appropriations bills passed by the House of Representatives, including one for the Department of Homeland Security, which must be approved by the Senate to avoid a government shutdown. Amid the controversy, there is increasing speculation that Trump may deploy active-duty troops to the state after accusing local officials of “inciting insurrection”.
Deadly Federal Shootings in Minnesota Spur Senate Democrats to Consider Government Shutdown
Following another fatal shooting by federal agents in Minnesota, Senate Democrats are under increasing pressure to initiate a second government shutdown amidst President Trump’s immigration crackdown. Trump himself is moving towards deploying active-duty troops in response to local officials’ supposed incitement of insurrection.
House Representatives recently passed a series of appropriations bills, including funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS oversees agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol. The Senate must now pass these bills; otherwise, the government will run out of funding this Friday.
The fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this month by an ICE agent has already led Democrats to demand DHS reforms in exchange for funding votes. A subsequent non-fatal shooting by immigration officials and the latest fatality on Saturday have further spurred these demands.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called on Senate Democrats to block ICE funding this week on social media. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minnesota’s two Democratic senators have asked ICE to leave the state, but they haven’t addressed the appropriations bill yet.
Sen. Chris Murphy, ranking Democrat on the DHS budget subcommittee, is pushing for linking reforms and funding. He posted two demands: ICE must leave Minneapolis, and Congress shouldn’t fund ICE in its current form. Other Democrats have also indicated they will block DHS funding.
Reports over the past few days have highlighted immigration officers in Minnesota detaining children, arresting U.S. citizens, and entering homes without warrants. Yet, on Saturday, Trump blamed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for demanding that immigration agents leave the city.
Trump has suggested deploying the military under the Insurrection Act, an idea reinforced by prepare-to-deploy orders given to two infantry battalions last week. If he does so, the political fight over his immigration policies would shift from a budgetary standoff to a constitutional battle. This story originally appeared on Fortune.com
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