Schumer: Democrats will block spending bill if it includes Homeland Security funding

[ancianita]

Source: AP

BY MARY CLARE JALONICK

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Senate Democrats will not vote for a spending package that includes money for the Department of Homeland Security.

Schumer’s statement increases the possibility that the government could partially shut down Jan. 30 when funding runs out. Several Democrats said Saturday that they will not vote for the bipartisan package of bills, which will need some Democratic votes to pass.

Democrats say the legislation, which includes money for a broad swath of government agencies, does not include enough restrictions on ICE.

“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 DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE,” Schumer said. “I will vote no.“

Read more: https://apnews.com/live/minneapolis-ice-shooting-updates-1-24-2026#0000019b-f176-d06e-affb-f3fed5f90000

[Bread and Circuses]

1. Doubtful . We've seen this before. They fold.

[ancianita]

21. You think the public is on the side of DHS? 52% of all Americans say that ICE is making communities less safe only 31%

it's making communities more safe. Are the other 17% braindead or hiding?

You think DHS polling will go up?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

23. Sorry, I worded that very badly,

I meant that I highly doubt that these Dem. Sen. are on the side of these ICEhole Nazis.

[ancianita]

29. Whew. If it's too much combat that's affecting you, I feel you.

[chicoescuela]

30. Thanks Chuck. You missed the boat. It left long ago.

[ancianita]

34. Tell him. 202-224-6542. It takes two minutes to leave a message or talk to his clerk who records messaging.

He needs to know he's losing trust with party rank and file.

[lees1975]

49. The rank and file abandoned Schumer the first time he caved and he's not shown any sign of changing.

I left him behind during the first two years of Biden's first term, with all the delays, foot dragging, and shilly-shallying he's done since he's been the Senate Democratic leader.

We shall see if he can read the signs, be discerning and realize that this will be a bigger win than the Democrats have had since we got the ACA passed. Because that's the way to get things done now, not the old school bipartisan game playing. We've been kicked in the teeth every time the GOP gets in power, it is now time to kick back hard.

[CrispyQ]

53. Then your message to him should be, "Do you want to lose the midterms? If not, find a way to stop DHS funding."

His own seat may not be at risk, & maybe they can't win back the senate, but every seat counts, even in the House, & he knows that.

IDK. I just think that calling is such an easy thing to do, especially since we all have smart phones. It's much easier than planning a day long protest. Nothing against the protests, but I don't understand why we aren't ringing their phones off the hook. Our reps actually do pay attention to calls & postcards. Somewhere else in this thread I mentioned that the last time we flooded them with calls was the financial crisis of 2008. We the People made the news! Seems like this is just as important.

Not sure what to say? The site/app below tracks issues & bills & has sample text for your calls & postcards. Phone in your resistance! ☎️

https://5calls.org

[CrispyQ]

52. +1!! We should bomb him with calls! Overload his vmail!

Let him come back tomorrow to full vmail boxes in DC & NY. And then we should all call all our own reps & do the same. They should be in our contacts list. Our congressional reps actually do pay attention to the number of calls they get. Postcards too, but those are slower.

I wasn't very consistent with calls until I started weekly PT, & now I call every week in my car, after my appointment. It takes ten minutes or less to make three calls. I recycle messages, & some messages are just one liners. It doesn't matter what you say, as much as that you make the calls. Also, you almost always get vmail, rarely a live person. But in case you do...

Not sure what to say? Check out this site/app. They make it easy! They track issues & bills & have sample text for your messages/postcards.

https://5calls.org

Our vote is our voice, but our part in this democracy doesn't stop at the ballot box. We need to use our voice between elections to keep our reps on track & remind them who they work for. The last time we overloaded congressional vmail boxes was the financial crisis of 2008. Isn't saving our country just as important?

Phone in your resistance!! ☎️

Thanks for Schumer's number. I'll be calling for sure! My reps, too. I like the idea of loading their boxes over the weekend.

[ancianita]

68. Great habit you have. We all need to do what you do. Thank you for the link!

[CrispyQ]

69. If you want to be sure to get vmail, call on the weekend.

Phone in your resistance! ☎️☎️☎️

https://5calls.org

Capitol Switchboard: [phone]
You can connect with senators & reps at this number.

They have local offices, too, & if an issue is hot & their vmail is full at DC, try a local office. I believe it's just as important to call your republican reps as your democratic ones. Maybe more, so they know they have dem constituents.

Other tips. It's proper to leave your full name & zip code at the end. If you care enough to call then you should stand behind your message with your name, & the zip is so they know what district you live in. Chuck Schumer takes calls from all over the country, so zips are helpful. Needless to say you should be polite, but I've expressed frustration with a swear word or two, although never directed at my congressmen.

The time it takes to plan & attend one protest would probably cover a month or two worth of calls. Once you get in the habit you'd be surprised how quick it is. I often compose my messages at night while watching TV. Calling every week is like working out; you have to make the time. But there's not an easier or more effective way to protest. ☎️

[ancianita]

70. Thanks. I believe

all responses are pressure whether it's protesting or calling or writing op-eds or donating. You've got great ideas about an efficient use of our time, which are appreciated. And i'm sure you're not being either/or about any of this. And it's also true that a lot of us do at least two or these. Because engaged folks believe that any time is worth our time to use our 1A rights for the democratic cause. When folks take seriously what's important, they don't not consider them inconvenient.

Again, thanks!

[Mysterian]

2. Now don't fucking back down

And use your power to make sure your colleagues don't cave.

[CrispyQ]

54. He needs the Pelosi Gentle-but-so-Effective Arm Twisting seminar. -nt

[tblue37]

4. It shouldn't have passed the House.

[Cobalt Violet]

5. They will cave.

I hope I'm wrong.

[ancianita]

12. Things are different now and you know they know it.

You're wrong.

[FoxNewsSucks]

15. No, we don't know it.

Elected Dems could have acted previously and did not.

They still don't. THe 220-207 vote which passed the DHS funding means that the seven DEMS who voted fucking YES changed that from what should have been 213-214 AGAINST.

So yeah, we "don't know they know it" when enough stab us in the back to make sure republicon bullshit passes.

[ancianita]

18. We know that three of the eight who voted yes said they will now vote no. You're right, but I think there's momentum.

Nevada Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, who were two of the eight Democrats who voted against their party to end the 43-day government shutdown last year, both said Saturday that they will not support the measure funding DHS. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, another one of those eight Democrats, already said Friday he would not support funding DHS.

[Cobalt Violet]

45. when their corporate masters start complaining about the shut down they will cave.

And you know it.

[iemanja]

36. The House could have stopped ICE funding 2 days ago

24 Republicans voted against the bill. 7 Democrats voted for it. Without those Democratic votes, it would not have passed.

I do hope things have changes now, but I can’t feel sure.

[Cobalt Violet]

66. told you so!

[CrispyQ]

55. Call him! Tell him, no funds for DHS thugs who terrorize our neighborhoods.

Post 34 has his phone number.
https://democraticunderground.com/10143604513#post34

We should fill his vmail box up for a nice Monday morning surprise.

[Fiendish Thingy]

6. Doesn't the debt ceiling expire at the end of January?

Thats the leverage a strong leader would use - a government shutdown and a debt default unless the spending bill not only excludes ICE funding, but includes language removing qualified immunity and restricting agents use of force.

[onenote]

14. No. The debt ceiling isn't expected to be reached until sometime in 2027

Stopgap funding for the government was approved through January 30 -- that's the deadline that is relevant now. Some approps bills have been passed by the House, including the one that covers DHS. But the Senate still needs to act.

[Buddyzbuddy]

7. It's the right thing Senator, don't back down.

The defense shouldn't recieve money either.
Republicans need to get off their knees and reign their guy in. They need to back off of Senator Mark Kelly and support him and his statement which was 100% correct about not obeying illegal orders.

For fucksake they're killing citizens on the streets of Minnesota. Get your asses to the Capital and shut this shit down. NOW!

[VanceFan]

8. No more

No more money for ICE Goons.

[in2herbs]

13. And ... take away Noem's two newly purchased planes! nt

[yaesu]

9. Leader must make sure no dems vote for funding, another vote that will decide the future of the party, don't fuck it up

[ancianita]

10. It only takes one Democrat -- Schumer, or MN's Klobuchar or Smith, or others who are deciding against funding DHS...

Nevada Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, who were two of the eight Democrats who voted against their party to end the 43-day government shutdown last year, both said Saturday that they will not support the measure funding DHS. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, another one of those eight Democrats, already said Friday he would not support funding DHS.
... other Democratic senators on Saturday said they would not support funding DHS, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Mark Warner of Virginia, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Andy Kim of New Jersey and Alex Padilla of California.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/homeland-security-funding-bill-senate-democrats-schumer-minneapolis-shooting/

Ten Democratic senators say they will not vote to fund DHS.

ONE U.S. Senator can effectively block a bill from coming to a vote through
-- a "filibuster" or
-- by placing a "hold" on legislation.

Under Senate rules, a single senator can initiate a filibuster (or threaten one), requiring a supermajority of 60 votes to invoke cloture, end debate, and move to a final vote.

I think they know that Americans feel enough solidarity with MN to make the sacrifice. And I believe Senate Democrats will be in solidarity with the MN senators.

[FoxNewsSucks]

16. I hope you're right,

but I'll believe it when I actually see the final vote defeat it.

There are too many Manchin/Sinema/Fetterman types who see the $$$$$$$$ instead of what's right.

[ancianita]

27. Nope. Just four like him: Shaheen, Hassan, King, and believe it or not, the senate whip, Durbin himself.

Shaheen 202-224-2841

Hassan 202-224-3324

King 202-224-5344

Durbin 202-224-2152

Fetterman 202-224-4254

[in2herbs]

11. I doube there's even one D who will change their vote to R because they are mad at another shutdown. nt

[Scrivener7]

17. I really hope he means it this time. And I hope every Senator follows suit.

I hope they let the Whip do his job.

There are some here who are insisting the bill has nothing to do with ICE and it's no big deal it passed the House.

That's idiotic.

I really hope Schumer doesn't cave again.

[ancianita]

22. Durbin, as the longest standing senate whip, should be all in on this, his last term in office. We'll see if he whips a

win, or just whips cream.

[Gore1FL]

20. I want to trust him.

If just enough Democratic votes come out to support it, I will never trust him again.

[ancianita]

26. Tell Schumer that. 202-224-6542.

https://www.senate.gov/general/resources/pdf/senators_phone_list.pdf

I'm calling the five of the caving eight. Fetterman, Durbin, Shaheen, Hassan, and King

[PatrickforB]

24. I have little confidence in the intestinal fortitude of Schumer. Sorry to say that, but I do. I've seen him fold too

many times in the past.

That said, I have been calling both my US Senators daily demanding they vote against funding ICE. One staff member last week told me they are getting many calls like this every day.

[ancianita]

31. If Schumer says he'll put a hold on the vote, I believe him. Better he loses control of the 8 than the remaining 42

or whatever large minority number we have.
Lawrence has said over and over that it only takes one, and that US senators are notoriously uncontrollable. Those who only look at interests of their own home turf and donors should be called by any Democrat from anywhere, reasoned with, reprimanded, and primaried, imo, since senators historically have a higher calling to advise & consent and consider the nation overall.

[CrispyQ]

57. Good for you!

Call Schumer, too. We should fill all our senators' vmail boxes this weekend.

[Skittles]

25. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

sure, bro

[paleotn]

28. Hate to go all Machiavellian here

But today's murder gives Dems the political muscle to either kill the ICEhole funding or shut down the government. Schumer, fucking USE IT! Don't let that poor man die in vain. Fucking USE IT!! Strangle the Puke bastards with it!!

[ancianita]

32. It's not Machiavellian, paleotn.It's Rational, Moral & Brilliant! THE general strike led by Democrats of the Senate!

Why don't DU people see that? I thought no one would ever say it. But you're brilliant! And that's IT.

We seriously have to call our senators and say that! https://www.senate.gov/general/resources/pdf/senators_phone_list.pdf

[Sanity Claws]

33. Finally waking up, I hope.

[ancianita]

35. Here. Wake him up to this on Bluesky. Culture there is beating politics every day.

from Raider

"Children screaming and crying can be heard as a possible uprising is underway at the ICE Children's Concentration Camp in Dilley, TX (1/24/26)."

https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:udnac33pmf2iwcblpeai5a5p/post/3md7645iqgs2z?ref_src=embed

from ‪Magnus Lehnsherr‬

"I,'m told by detainees at Dilley that 80 pct of facility currently protesting--that would be ~1500. Guards physically blocking ppl from joining. Dozens of ICE CBP police cars racing to area. Detainees say protest triggered by news of events in Minneapolis & treatment of 5 yr old."

‪luckiiyu7.bsky.social‬
‪@luckiiyu7.bsky.social‬
· 5h
@schiff.senate.gov

@schumer.senate.gov

@sanders.senate.gov

@klobuchar.senate.gov

@wyden.senate.gov

@warren.senate.gov

@ocasio-cortez.house.gov

@vanhollen.senate.gov

@crockett.house.gov

@khanna.house.gov

@repilhan.bsky.social

@klobuchar.senate.gov

@hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social

[joanbarnes]

37. Chuckles found his balls? I doubt it ........

[ancianita]

38. Chuckles? balls?

You really need to delete this

[Queso Delicioso]

39. Sure you will, Chuck.

Until the donor class tells you otherwise. So sick of this guy. We need real fighters.

[ancianita]

40. ...

Think Dems should be changing the leader? Then who should lead the minority.

[Queso Delicioso]

41. AOC. Or someone similarly ruthless.

[Rhiannon12866]

42. She's a Rep. so is in the House, the leader in the House is Hakeem Jeffries

[Queso Delicioso]

62. True now, perhaps not true later.

But Hakeem would be a good first stop on a replacement tour. He's about as bad as Schumer.

[Scrivener7]

43. Chris Murphy.

[Beringia]

44. I hope to God they do block the spending bill

[Javaman]

46. Yeah, cool story schumer

🙄

[Ford_Prefect]

47. Tell me when they have done it. Otherwise that's just one more headline.

I haven't got patience left for empty promises or Democrats who won't fight for us.

I fought all my life for my family , for all of my neighbors, for People of Color, for First People, for people to love whom they chose, for people with disabilities, for people to worship whomever they chose, for the health and future of the entire planet.

I have paid many a price for this and consider it justice performed in good faith.

it's well past time for All Democrats to work as hard as I have and get the justice we All deserve. DAMN WELL!

[lees1975]

48. That is a great move, if they will actually do it.

Maybe they see that the Republicans and Trump have lost significant support over this, and that this is more than likely going to cost them both houses in November.

[MichMan]

50. This shutdown will last until the midterms

I can't see the Republicans would ever agree to abolishing DHS and ICE.

[ancianita]

58. Good. The people will blame the administration, not the minority party.

[MichMan]

59. Hard to say who gets blamed

I'm guessing that the RW narrative will be fairly predictable though.

"Democrats would rather have open borders than fund SNAP benefits"

[ancianita]

60. Not for me...

"Republicans would rather have dead Americans than enforce the DOJ release of the epstein files."

[MichMan]

61. Saw nothing in the OP about Schumer not funding the government over Epstein

It only references ICE and DHS.

[ancianita]

63. Okay. Fair point.

Then one could say, " "Republicans would rather fund dead federal invasions of cities and 212 active ICE detention centers than fund SNAP benefits."

[Clouds Passing]

51. Every. Single. Dem. Must. Vote. To Block. Ich. Spending.

[Oneironaut]

56. "I wonder if Lucy will let me kick the football this time?"

[MichMan]

64. ICE would still operate in a partial government shutdown

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other immigration enforcement agencies would keep operating even if broad swaths of the federal government close this weekend.

Lawmakers face a Friday deadline for a partial government shutdown, 80 days after they reopened federal agencies after the longest shutdown ever in November. Congress has approved half of its annual spending bills since then and was poised to approve the other the bills late last week in one combined measure.

But the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by immigration authorities on Saturday — just weeks after an ICE officer killed Renée Good in the same city — outraged congressional Democrats, who say they’ll block the spending bill unless it includes more oversight of ICE. Republicans so far have rebuffed that demand, setting up a likely partial shutdown that would close agencies whose funding hasn’t been enacted.

ICE largely doesn’t need the spending bill to pass, however, even though its operations are at the heart of the standoff. That’s because the massive tax and immigration policy law the GOP passed last summer at President Donald Trump’s urging included $75 billion for the enforcement agency over the next four years.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ice-would-still-operate-in-a-partial-government-shutdown/ar-AA1V9R6n?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=LCTS&cvid=697a280f3eaa4b6293dba41649b4e56a&ei=10

[henbuck]

65. Even if DHS gets no funding

DHS has 75 billion from the Big Ugly Bill. They could run 2 or 3 years on that.

[Luciferous]

67. Sure Chuck...