Congress is likely about to trigger a shutdown as Democrat leaders, responding to pressure from their base, demand restraints on immigration law enforcement in exchange for funding the Department of Homeland Security.

On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., laid his demands out on the table.

The House has sent the Senate the final six bills to fully fund the government for fiscal year 2026 before a Jan. 30 cutoff. In order for Republicans to bring the funding bills to a final vote, they need the support of at least seven Democrats.

Top Democrats previously appeared to grant their blessing to a bicameral, bipartisan homeland security bill, but they have rescinded their support since the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, 37, in Minneapolis during an interaction with federal officers.

Schumer on Wednesday demanded a stand-alone vote on the bill to fund DHS, with the five other bills in the funding package to be considered separately. 

In exchange for Democrats’ support of the homeland security bill, Schumer asked for concessions, such as a tightening of the “rules governing the use of warrants,” as well as a prohibition on mask use among Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

Now Republicans must decide whether or not to yield to Democrat demands on funding.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said Wednesday, shortly before Schumer announced his demands, that it might be necessary to separate the homeland security bill.

“My Democratic colleagues, led by Sen. Schumer, who are controlled by the Karen wing of their........

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