Senate Democrats Block DHS Funding, Extend Shutdown

Senate Democrats blocked a Republican-led effort to fund the entire Department of Homeland Security on Thursday, prolonging a partial government shutdown that began nearly a month ago and exacerbating staffing shortages at the Transportation Security Administration. The 51-46 vote marked the fourth time this month that Democrats have defeated similar measures, leaving about 50,000 TSA officers working without pay as spring break travel ramps up across the United States.

The impasse stems from Democratic demands for reforms to immigration enforcement practices within the department, particularly following two fatal shootings in Minneapolis in January. In one incident, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot Renee Good as she accelerated her vehicle toward him. In the other, two Customs and Border Protection officers fatally shot Alex Pretti during a street struggle in which he was armed with a handgun. Democrats have sought provisions to require agents to wear body cameras, display identification, refrain from wearing masks during enforcement actions, and obtain judicial warrants before entering private property. Republicans, however, insist on approving funding for...