Senate Democrats block DHS funding bill that would end partial government shutdown

Senate Democrats blocked an attempt Thursday to proceed to a House-passed bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security for the remainder of the current fiscal year and end a 27-day partial government shutdown.Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote with Republicans to advance the funding bill, which was defeated in a 51-46 split. The measure needed 60 votes to pass.
DHS entered a shutdown last month after Senate Democrats failed to pass the House’s DHS funding bill because of objections to immigration enforcement. 
Senators were hoping to finally break the deadlock Thursday, but Democrats claimed Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection both need major reforms after the fatal shooting of two protesters earlier this year.
“We all know that we do not have agreement on how to deal with ICE,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said before the vote. “We know very simply that Democrats just want ICE to behave like any police department in America and use warrants and not wear masks.” 
Senate Majority Leader John Thune suggested the upper chamber pass a short-term continuing resolution that would provide funding for the Transportation Security Administration, Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency among others.
Schumer rejected the suggestion but did propose funding TSA to help with wait times at airports, which Thune dismissed.
“I rest my case,” Schumer said. “What the [GOP] leader is saying is he will only fund TSA if we continue to fund for a short time, for a long time, ICE and Border Patrol, which he knows is gridlocked.”

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