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Senate Advances Government Funding Package, But Partial Shutdown Looms
In a rare display of bipartisan cooperation, Senate Republicans and Democrats approved a modified government spending package Friday evening, advancing it to the House following an eleventh-hour deal brokered by President Donald Trump. Despite the 71-29 vote, a partial government shutdown appears inevitable as House lawmakers aren’t scheduled to return to Washington until next week.
The revised package excludes the controversial Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, replacing it with a two-week continuing resolution to keep the agency operational. However, these changes must now be approved by the House, where passage is far from guaranteed.
“We’re not telling ICE they need judicial warrants when they already have administrative warrants,” said Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), reflecting Republican frustration with Democratic demands for immigration enforcement reforms.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic colleagues had insisted on several modifications to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Democrats dropped three categories of restrictions on ICE on Wednesday in an attempt to reach compromise, arguing these changes represent common-sense reforms following two fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis this month.
“These are not radical demands,” Schumer stated on the Senate floor. “They’re basic standards the American people already expect from law enforcement.”
Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) defended the proposed changes as practical measures aimed at preventing further incidents. “This is not like some wish list,” Smith said. “This is really practical, commonsense stuff that would actually go a long way towards minimizing the harm that we’re seeing in Minnesota.”
Among the most contentious Democratic requests was requiring judicial warrants, rather than administrative warrants, for ICE agents to make arrests—a change Republicans firmly rejected.
The legislative maneuvering faced additional obstacles from within Republican ranks. A faction of Senate Republicans opposed the original package due to billions in earmarked funding it contained.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) expressed particular outrage over the House’s decision to include a repeal of a provision allowing senators to sue for up to $500,000 if they had phone records subpoenaed by former special counsel Jack Smith during his Arctic Frost investigation.
“You jammed me, Speaker Johnson. I won’t forget this,” Graham warned. He demanded votes on expanding the number of people affected by Smith’s probe who can sue and on legislation to criminalize sanctuary city policies.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) indicated the earliest the lower chamber could act on the package would be Monday—three days into the partial shutdown. The House Rules Committee is expected to convene for an unusual Sunday hearing to consider the legislation, potentially setting up a floor vote the following day.
House Republican resistance is already building, particularly against the DHS continuing resolution. House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris told Fox News Digital, “The Democrats’ desire to keep millions of illegal aliens in the United States will not suddenly disappear in a week or a month with a continuing resolution. Delaying full-year funding for the Department of Homeland Security any further is a bad idea.”
The political standoff highlights the ongoing difficulties in Congress to reach consensus on government funding, especially when immigration policy is involved. The partial shutdown will affect multiple federal agencies and thousands of government employees unless House lawmakers can quickly approve the modified package upon their return.
For now, essential government services will continue operating, but non-essential functions at unfunded agencies will cease until lawmakers resolve their differences and pass the necessary appropriations.
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12 Comments
It’s good to see some bipartisanship, but the unresolved DHS funding is worrying. I wonder what the long-term implications could be if they can’t reach a lasting agreement.
The funding package seems like a temporary fix, kicking the can down the road on the DHS issues. I wonder if they can resolve those differences before the next deadline.
Definitely a lot of political maneuvering here. Hopefully they can get past the partisan gridlock and find a lasting solution.
This deal highlights the continued partisan tensions around immigration policy and ICE operations. I appreciate the Democrats pushing for reforms, but the Republicans’ resistance is understandable too.
It’s a complex issue with valid concerns on both sides. Hopefully they can find common ground that addresses security needs while respecting civil liberties.
This is a positive step towards keeping the government running, but the lingering DHS dispute is concerning. I hope they can work it out before a shutdown occurs.
Compromise is always better than gridlock, but the continued fighting over immigration enforcement is troubling. Hopefully cooler heads can prevail.
Agreed. These divisive issues require nuanced policymaking, not just political point-scoring. I hope they put the country’s interests first.
While the funding package is a positive step, the ongoing battles over immigration enforcement are concerning. I hope the House can find a way to bridge the partisan divide.
Agreed. These issues deserve thoughtful, principled debate, not just political grandstanding. Hopefully they can find a pragmatic solution.
Interesting to see both parties come together to approve federal funding, even with the DHS funding issue still unresolved. I’m curious to see how the House responds and whether they can avoid a partial shutdown.
Bipartisanship is always welcome, though it seems the immigration enforcement debate is still a sticking point. Hopefully they can find a compromise solution.