Senate to Vote on Advancing Funding Package and Reforms

U.S. Capitol

The Senate is set to take a procedural vote on Jan. 29 on a bill to fund the remaining government agencies and programs, amid a potential partial government shutdown expected by Jan. 30.

Democratic senators met privately on Jan. 28 to discuss a list of demands for reforming the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the fatal shooting of Minneapolis activist and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse Alex Pretti, the second fatal shooting by an immigration officer in Minnesota.

The funding package was expected to pass through the Senate just like the other six of the 12 measures to fund the government. But, since Pretti’s death, Senate Democrats have vowed to oppose the bill unless a funding measure for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection, is taken out.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) accused ICE of waging “state-sanctioned thuggery,” additionally issuing three demands to reform DHS, which he said Democrats are “united” on: End “roving patrols” and toughen rules on warrants for arrests; enforce accountability with a “uniform code of conduct"; and require agents to remove their masks, carry ID and wear body cameras.

Currently, Senate Democrats and the Trump administration are moving toward a deal that would allow a path forward on the funding package without the funding for immigration enforcement. Senate Democrats would then proceed with a continuing resolution for DHS to provide more time for negotiations on reforms.

The procedural vote is set for Jan. 29 at 11:30 AM EST, with the deadline being on Jan. 30 by 11:59 p.m. ET, leaving little time to find a solution that can achieve the 60 votes needed in the Senate.

“We’re open. We recognize that if we do nothing, then we have a government shutdown, which nobody wants. If we get five of the six bills across the finish line, with House cooperation, that’s funding really close to in excess of 90% of the government, with basically only Homeland left,” said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).

Joseph Quesada