Collins Backs DHS Funding Bill Despite Outrage Over Alex Pretti Shooting, Senate Fight Escalates
Sen. Susan Collins confirmed on the Senate floor today that she supports advancing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, even as nationwide outrage mounts over the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Collins’ stance heightens a growing conflict in Congress over immigration enforcement funding and the risk of a partial government shutdown later this week.
The stakes erupted after Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was killed by federal Border Patrol agents amid an ongoing immigration enforcement surge, prompting protests, bipartisan investigation demands, and sharp criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection. Democrats are now leveraging the funding bill to push for enforcement limits and accountability.
Collins noted in her remarks that the vast majority of the DHS package supports non-immigration, non-border security functions, urging colleagues not to let the bill fail at a critical funding deadline and risk disrupting FEMA, the Coast Guard and other services.
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The bill, passed by the House, includes billions for ICE and CBP agencies that have drawn scrutiny since Pretti’s death, fueling Democratic refusal to back the measure without reforms.
“I hope we can come together in a constructive way to get this done,” Collins said, seeking bipartisan support before the funding deadline.
If negotiations falter, a partial government shutdown could begin as soon as Friday night, affecting multiple federal departments funded alongside DHS. Democrats have pledged to block DHS funding absent key changes.
Congressional leaders from both parties are expected to hold high-stakes talks on enforcement guardrails and budgetary deadlines over the next 48 hours.
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