Democrats block government funding package in Senate as negotiations continue to avert a shutdown

"Democrats voted to block legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies Thursday as they continued to negotiate with Republicans and the White House on new restrictions for President Donald Trump's surge of immigration enforcement. Thursday's 45-55 test vote came as Democrats have threatened a partial government shutdown when money runs out on Friday. But Trump said just ahead of the vote that we don't want a shutdown"

"As the country reels from the deaths of two protesters at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis, irate Senate Democrats laid out a list of demands on Wednesday, including that officers take off their masks and identify themselves and obtain warrants for arrest. If those are not met, Democrats say they are prepared to block the wide-ranging spending bill, denying Republicans the votes they need to pass it and triggering a shutdown."

Senate Democrats blocked legislation that would fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies while negotiating with Republicans and the White House over restrictions on immigration enforcement. A 45-55 test vote occurred as Democrats warned of a partial government shutdown when funding expires. President Trump said he did not want a shutdown and negotiators discussed separating Homeland Security funding for a short-term extension. Deaths of two protesters after encounters with federal agents in Minneapolis spurred Democratic demands that officers remove masks, identify themselves and obtain warrants. Democrats say they will withhold votes until ICE is reined in and overhauled, and a proposed deal would fund other agencies through September while funding Homeland Security temporarily.

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