HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — Senator John Fetterman, the Pennsylvania Democrat, signaled Monday he will not support his party’s effort to risk a partial government shutdown in order to block immigration law enforcement funding.

He said in a statement that ICE, one of the primary law enforcement agencies, will still receive funds even if his Democratic colleagues block a package of six appropriations bills that would finance much of the government. The bills affect the Departments of Homeland Security, Defense and others, as well as the agencies within them.

“I’ve also spent significant time hearing many different positions on the funding bills and maintain that I will never vote to shut our government down, especially our Defense Department,” Fetterman said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Saturday, after a federal immigration agent killed another Minneapolis resident, that Democrats would block the legislation package if it contains the Homeland Security bill. He called the situation in Minnesota, where thousands of federal officers have operated, “appalling.”

“Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans’ refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE,” Schumer said in a social media post.

“I will vote no.”

It’s unclear whether Senate Republicans will separate the Homeland Security bill from the package. Maine Republican Susan Collins, chair of the Senate appropriations committee, has indicated she would consider removing it, but other Republicans have opposed the idea.

Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee said Monday that just as the “mob” can’t break federal laws – an apparent reference to Minneapolis protesters – Democrats can’t defund ICE.

“Dems are calling way too many of the shots—especially on spending bills—in a Republican Congress,” he wrote in an X post.

“And yet that still isn’t enough; they’re now threatening to shut down the government unless we defund ICE.”

Fetterman has dismissed the idea of defunding the agency, calling it “destructive” for the party. He said in his statement on Monday, though, that he strongly disagrees with many of ICE’s strategies it has used in Minneapolis.

“I want a conversation on the DHS appropriations bill and support stripping it from the minibus. It is unlikely that will happen and our country will suffer another shutdown,” the senator predicted. “We must find a way forward and I remain committed to being a voice of reason and common sense.”

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.