Senate Democrats reject DHS funding after Minneapolis shooting

Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. government is poised for a partial shutdown Friday as Democratic lawmakers rejected additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

The legislation, which has already been approved by the House of Representatives, also allocates money for the departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Education, State and Treasury.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement would receive some $10 billion of the $64.4 billion earmarked for DHS.

Senate Democrats said Sunday that they will not approve the spending bill while that funding is included.

Related

• Federal agents shoot, kill another U.S. citizen in Minnesota
• Poll: 63% disapprove of the job ICE is doing; Trump approval at 34%
• 100 clergy arrested at Minneapolis-St. Paul airport during ICE protest

"What's happening in Minnesota is appalling -- and unacceptable in any American city," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement,The Washington Post reported.

"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 bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of (ICE). Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included," Schumer said.

The opposition follows the killing of intensive care nurse Alex Pretti, 37, in Minneapolis Saturday.

Videos of the incident show several federal law enforcement agents surrounding and attacking Pretti as he was on the ground before shooting him several times.

Agents previously killed U.S. citizen Renee Good and shot alleged illegal immigrant julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during an ongoing operation in Minneapolis.

"Federal agents cannot murder people in broad daylight and face zero consequences," Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA, said on social media, CNBC reported.

"I will not support the DHS bill as it stands. The DHS bill needs to be split off from the larger funding package before the Senate -- Republicans must work with us to do that," Murray added.

The House of Representatives would need to reconvene to review the Senate's changes before Friday.

ICE Out of Minnesota protest on Jan. 23 in Minneapolis

Thousands of protesters march in sub-zero temperatures during "ICE Out" day to protest the federal government's immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday. Photo by Craig Lassig/UPI | License Photo