Announcement comes as anger toward DHS – which oversees ICE – intensifies after Alex Pretti fatally shot
In the wake of another fatal shooting of a US citizen in Minnesota by a federal officer, the Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, said Saturday evening that his party will block a funding package next week if it includes money for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The announcement, which dramatically escalates the potential for another government shutdown, comes as anger toward DHS, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intensifies among the party after a group of federal agents violently restrained and then fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis Saturday morning.
“What’s happening in Minnesota is appalling – and unacceptable in any American city,” Schumer, a New York senator, said in a statement. “Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans’ refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE. I will vote no.”
“Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included,” he added.
