Senate Democrats demand DHS funding bill include reforms to ‘rein in ICE’

Move sets up clash with Republicans that could see government partially shut down in coming days

Chuck Schumer, the Senate's top Democrat, on Wednesday demanded that legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) include a ban on wearing masks and other reforms aimed at federal agents involved in immigration enforcement, setting up a clash with Republicans that could see the government partially shut down in the coming days.

Congress is racing to head off a lapse in federal funding from beginning after Friday, and the Senate's Republican leaders plan to hold a key procedural vote Thursday on both the DHS funding measure and five bills that authorize spending by several other government departments.