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

"WASHINGTON (AP) - 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."

"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."

Democrats voted to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies while negotiating with Republicans and the White House over restrictions on President Donald Trump's intensified immigration enforcement. The 45-55 test vote occurred amid threats of a partial government shutdown when funding expires. President Trump said he did not want a shutdown while talks included temporarily separating Homeland Security funding. Deaths of two protesters after confrontations with federal agents in Minneapolis prompted demands that officers remove masks, identify themselves, and obtain warrants. Senate Democrats insist ICE must be reined in and overhauled before providing necessary votes.

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