Senate Democrats Threaten To Block DHS Funding After Fatal Minneapolis Shooting

A broad government funding package faces renewed uncertainty in the Senate after a federal officer shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, increasing the risk of a government shutdown at midnight next Friday.

Vote Math And Stakes

The package, which has already passed the House, requires 60 votes to advance in the Senate; Republicans hold 53 seats. Several Senate Democrats who previously backed appropriations measures said they will oppose Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding unless the bill includes stricter limits and accountability measures on immigration enforcement operations.

Lawmakers Respond

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the Minneapolis shooting "appalling — and unacceptable in any American city," saying Democrats had pushed for "commonsense reforms" in the DHS spending bill and that the current measure is "woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE." He added, "I will vote no," and warned Senate Democrats would not provide votes to proceed with the appropriations package if DHS funding remains unchanged.

"This looks like an execution. There must be an investigation. There must be accountability," — Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.)

Other Democrats who announced opposition include Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.). Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) reiterated that he will not support funding DHS without new guardrails on officer conduct. Several senators demanded a full investigation and accountability following the killing.

Details Of The Incident And Department Response

Media reports identified the man who was killed as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive-care nurse who had served veterans. Republican senators broadly defended DHS after the shooting, while Democrats criticized the agency's tactics and urged reforms to how immigration officers carry out enforcement operations.

What's In The Package — And The Impasse

The funding package keeps DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at current funding levels but does not include the restrictions or "guardrails" Democrats sought on enforcement operations. Non-DHS elements of the package — less controversial among Democrats — include funding for child care, mental health services, housing assistance and Pell Grants. Some Democrats have urged that DHS funding be decoupled and considered separately, but GOP leaders say they will bring the measures to the floor as a single bill.

Complicating the situation, Republicans recently approved a one-time $170 billion infusion for immigration enforcement that the administration could legally use even if DHS funding lapses. To pass an appropriations measure, Republicans will likely need the support of at least seven Democrats — possibly eight if Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) continues voting against appropriations bills.

Next Steps

Senate leaders are expected to take up the package this week. If opponents hold firm and no compromise is reached, the disagreement over DHS funding could imperil passage of the full appropriations bill and raise the prospect of a government shutdown at the end of the week.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com.