Senate Democrats Block DHS Funding After Minneapolis Shooting
Schumer said Democrats will withhold votes on a $64.4 billion minibus that includes $10.0 billion for ICE after the Jan. 24 killing of Alex Pretti.
Overview
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on X on Jan. 24, 2026, that Senate Democrats will withhold votes to advance the six-bill minibus if it contains the current DHS funding measure.
The decision follows the Jan. 24, 2026, killing of 37-year-old Alex Pretti during an immigration operation in Minneapolis and video footage Democrats say contradicts federal defenses, a dispute marked by conflicting accounts.
The House passed the six-bill minibus on Jan. 22, 2026, by a 220-207 roll-call vote, congressional records show, providing $64.4 billion for DHS including $10.0 billion for ICE.
Congressional records show the DHS package totals $64.4 billion and includes $3.84 billion for ICE custody operations and $5.45 billion for Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene Jan. 27, 2026, with a 12:01 a.m. Jan. 31, 2026, funding deadline, and aides said splitting DHS or recalling the House are among the remaining options.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story around Democratic objections to DHS funding after the Minneapolis shootings, emphasizing accountability and procedural stakes. Editorial choices foreground Democratic statements (e.g., Schumer’s pledge to withhold votes; Murray’s insistence on consequences), highlight calls to split DHS from other bills, and present Republican reactions mainly as procedural or defensive.
Sources (22)
FAQ
On January 24, 2026, in Minneapolis, Alex Pretti was recording CBP officers during an immigration operation when he was shoved, pepper-sprayed, pinned by agents, and shot 10 times in under 5 seconds after an agent emerged with a gun. He was declared dead at the scene with multiple wounds including to his back.
DHS claims Pretti approached officers with a 9mm handgun, two magazines, no ID, intending to 'massacre law enforcement'; videos show him recording with phone, shielding a woman, no visible gun; experts say video does not support threatening intent; Pretti had a lawful carry permit.
Alex Pretti was a 37-year-old American intensive care nurse for the VA, living in Minneapolis, who owned a handgun with a concealed carry permit but family said they never knew him to carry it; neighbors described him as quiet and warmhearted.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated Democrats will withhold votes on the $64.4 billion minibus including $10 billion for ICE due to video footage of the Jan. 24 killing contradicting federal defenses amid conflicting accounts.
History
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