The Senate failed to advance a government spending package on Thursday, pushing the federal government closer to a partial shutdown set to begin just after midnight Friday. Democrats blocked a package of six spending bills, as the White House worked on a deal to separate funding for the Department of Homeland Security from other departments.
The procedural vote to move the legislation forward failed 45–55, well short of the 60 votes required. While all Democrats voted against advancing the measure, several Republicans also broke ranks. Senate Majority Leader John Thune voted “no” as a procedural move that allows him to bring the measure back up if negotiations produce a deal.
At the center of the impasse is funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats are demanding major reforms to immigration enforcement agencies following two fatal shootings in Minnesota involving federal agents — the death of Renee Good earlier this month and the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti over the weekend. Those incidents intensified calls to separate DHS funding from the broader package so changes could be negotiated without risking shutdowns at other federal agencies.
Democratic leaders want the five remaining bills — which cover funding for the military, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Head Start, and several cabinet departments — passed immediately, while DHS would receive only short-term funding. That temporary extension would allow time for negotiations on reforms aimed at tightening oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.
Among Democrats’ demands are ending roving patrols, restricting agents from wearing masks, requiring body cameras, tightening warrant rules, and holding federal agents to the same use-of-force standards as state and local law enforcement. “Until ICE is properly reined in and overhauled legislatively, the DHS funding bill doesn’t have the votes to pass,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.
While Democratic leaders expressed cautious optimism, White House officials were more reserved, and no formal deal had been announced by late Thursday. President Trump said he was hopeful a prolonged shutdown could be avoided, noting that talks were “getting close.” Even if an agreement is finalized in the Senate, a brief partial shutdown appears likely. Any revised funding package would need approval from the House, which is in recess until Monday. That timing means some agencies could begin shutdown procedures over the weekend, though the practical effects would be limited.
With Republicans holding 53 Senate seats, at least seven Democratic votes are needed to advance the legislation. Thune acknowledged the difficulty of navigating changes that would also need to pass the House, where some conservatives have warned they could oppose a revised DHS bill.
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