Washington is moving closer to a partial government shutdown as lawmakers grapple with disagreements over immigration policy and federal funding, even as Senate leaders and the White House continue searching for a path forward.

Both parties and the administration say they want to avoid a disruption in government operations. However, recent events in Minnesota — including the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man during a federal operation — have complicated negotiations surrounding a broad six-bill appropriations package that Senate leaders had hoped to finalize this week.

In response, Democratic lawmakers are urging Republicans to remove Department of Homeland Security funding from the package and revisit those provisions separately. Any changes, however, would require renewed action in the House, which is not scheduled to return until Monday — after the shutdown deadline at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

Republicans have proposed alternative approaches that would preserve the current funding package, including potential administrative actions or separate legislation to address concerns. Democrats, meanwhile, argue that recent developments underscore the need for additional oversight and policy safeguards.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that responsibility for preventing a shutdown rests with Senate leadership, calling for DHS funding to be temporarily set aside while the remainder of the appropriations package moves forward. The broader legislation would fund nearly three-quarters of annual federal agency operations.

Until last week, bipartisan support appeared sufficient to advance the full package, which had been negotiated over several months. Now, Democratic senators are coalescing around a series of proposed changes to DHS provisions. These include requiring judicial warrants for certain immigration arrests, mandating that federal agents clearly identify themselves, strengthening cooperation with state and local authorities, and limiting the expansion of enforcement authority across agencies.

Despite internal discussions following the Minnesota incident, Republicans are proceeding with the legislation as drafted, beginning the process to bring it to the Senate floor. An initial procedural vote is expected Thursday, when at least eight Democratic votes would be needed to clear the Senate’s 60-vote threshold.

Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins said she favors keeping the six-bill package intact while exploring possible reforms or procedural protections. She emphasized the importance of avoiding a shutdown, noting its potential harm to the public.

Sen. Katie Britt, who oversees DHS funding in the Appropriations Committee, also expressed support for passing the package as written, while indicating that administrative actions could help address Democratic concerns.

Some lawmakers pointed to recent White House steps — including assigning border coordinator Tom Homan to oversee operations in Minnesota — as possible signs of flexibility. Others said communication between the parties remains open, though significant differences persist.

Republicans face their own internal challenges, with some conservative members opposing any effort to separate DHS funding from the broader package. With the deadline approaching, Senate procedures also make rapid amendments difficult, as any single senator can slow the process.

At the same time, some Democrats have expressed concern about pushing agencies toward a shutdown so soon after a previous funding lapse. While ICE and Border Patrol would continue operating under existing funding, other DHS agencies such as FEMA and TSA could be affected.

Still, Democratic leaders maintain that revisions to the DHS portion of the bill are necessary, citing accountability and public confidence. They have expressed skepticism that executive actions alone would resolve their concerns or that standalone legislation would advance in the House.

The White House said Monday it supports passage of the six-bill package without separating DHS funding. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that discussions on immigration policy are ongoing but should not jeopardize government operations.

House leadership continues to evaluate next steps as the deadline approaches. While some Democrats have urged the House to return early from recess, current plans call for members to reconvene as scheduled next week.

Privately, many on Capitol Hill believe that any breakthrough before Friday’s deadline will likely require direct engagement from the White House.