Lawmakers failed to advance a six-bill funding measure one day before the deadline, with Democrats demanding changes to immigration enforcement and several Republicans breaking ranks.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Senate failed on Jan. 29 to advance a six-bill government funding package after Democrats withheld support over the inclusion of Department of Homeland Security funding, sharply increasing the likelihood of a partial federal government shutdown ahead of a Jan. 30 deadline.
The procedural vote fell short of the 60 votes required to move forward, ending in a 45–55 tally. Nearly all Democrats voted against the measure, joined by seven Republicans: Sens. Ted Budd of North Carolina, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Lee of Utah, Ashley Moody of Florida, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rick Scott of Florida, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the lone Democrat to vote in favor of advancing the package.
The unexpected Republican defections compounded Democratic opposition and stalled the bill just one day before the expiration of a short-term funding measure. That stopgap bill had ended a 43-day shutdown last year, the longest in U.S. history.
Democrats objected to the inclusion of DHS funding in the broader package, arguing that immigration enforcement issues warranted separate consideration. The full package cleared the House last week, but splitting it would require sending revised legislation back to the House, which is in recess until next week, leaving no time for further action before the funding deadline.
If no agreement is reached, several federal agencies face shutdowns, including DHS and the departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development.
The stalled vote comes amid heightened scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement following two fatal shootings in Minneapolis and subsequent protests targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Border czar Tom Homan, who was deployed to Minneapolis after the shooting of Alex Pretti, said on Jan. 29 that progress had been made in meetings with local officials. He said federal agents would begin drawing down their presence in the city once local authorities follow through on cooperation with ICE regarding illegal immigrant prisoners.
President Donald Trump said he remained hopeful that a shutdown could be avoided.
“We’re working on that right now. I think we’re getting close,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Jan. 29. “The Democrats, I don’t believe, want to see it either.”
Trump added that the White House and Democrats would “work in a very bipartisan way … not to have a shutdown.”
Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, outlined three demands on Jan. 28 tied to DHS and ICE operations. Schumer said the first demand calls for ending what he described as “roving patrols” of ICE agents in U.S. cities, tighter warrant requirements, and improved coordination with state and local law enforcement.
The second demand seeks increased accountability for ICE agents.
“Federal agents should be held to the same use-of-force policies that apply to state and local law enforcement and be held accountable when they violate those rules,” Schumer said.
The third demand would require ICE and other immigration agents to operate without masks, wear body cameras, and carry state-issued identification at all times.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota argued that the entire funding package should be passed without division.
“We need to fund the government. We have a bill sitting in the Senate today that does that, that if we pick it up and pass it and put it on the president’s desk and all 12 appropriations bills will have been done this year,” Thune said on Jan. 28.
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said the body-camera requirement cited by Democrats is already included in the DHS funding bill. Meanwhile, Sen. Steve Daines of Montana said he supports separating DHS funding from the rest of the package, calling it “the only way” to avoid a shutdown.
Homan said Thursday that the administration would continue “targeted enforcement operations” in Minnesota focused on criminal illegal immigrants.
“We are not surrendering our mission at all—we’re just doing [it] smarter,” he said.
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