Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer escalated the funding battle in Congress on January 30, 2026, urging Senate Majority Leader John Thune to separate the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill from a broader six-bill appropriations package. Schumer argued that the DHS bill currently lacks sufficient votes to pass the Senate because of growing concerns over unrestrained conduct by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and related federal enforcement agencies.

In remarks delivered on the Senate floor and shared widely from C-SPAN, Schumer emphasized that unchecked abuses by ICE and other federal agents have eroded trust in the department and made passage of the bill politically untenable without meaningful legislative reform. “Change is DESPERATELY needed,” Schumer said, referencing disturbing footage of federal agents confronting protesters and citing the fatal January 24 shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis—a U.S. citizen killed during clashes involving federal immigration enforcement. The incident has intensified debate over the proper role, oversight, and accountability mechanisms for ICE and Border Patrol agents deployed in Minnesota and beyond. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Schumer said that until Congress can “properly rein in and overhaul” ICE legislatively, the DHS funding bill should be considered separately. He framed the moment as a test of legislative responsibility, cautioning that Democrats cannot support a measure that effectively continues funding for agencies operating without adequate checks or clear reforms. The broader six-bill package includes funding for roughly 96 percent of federal operations, and Democrats have signaled willingness to pass the other five bills on their own while negotiations continue over DHS and ICE. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

“Our colleagues need to hear from Americans who have seen what these tactics look like—masked men beating up people and, yes, SHOOTING Americans in broad daylight,” Schumer said, a line that reflects mounting public outcry over recent deaths linked to federal immigration enforcement actions. Schumer’s comments come as lawmakers face a looming funding deadline that, if missed, could trigger a partial government shutdown in a matter of days.

The continuing standoff underscores the deep partisan divide over border enforcement policy, federal law enforcement oversight, and whether targeted legislative changes should be tied to essential government funding. With both sides dug in, Schumer’s push to decouple the DHS bill signals a broader strategy to force a vote on immigration enforcement reform separate from routine budget legislation.