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Senate Democrats on Thursday unanimously voted to block a package of six government funding bills, keeping alive the possibility of a partial government shutdown in the coming days as negotiations with the White House continued over restrictions on immigration enforcement.
The procedural vote failed 55–45, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance the legislation. While Democrats voted as a bloc against the measure, several Republicans also opposed it.
The vote came as last-minute talks intensified between Senate Democrats and the White House over funding for the Department of Homeland Security ahead of a potential shutdown set to begin at midnight Friday.
Push to separate DHS funding
At the center of the impasse is Democrats’ demand to remove DHS funding from the broader package, which would otherwise finance large portions of the federal government through the end of September. Democrats want to separate DHS so changes aimed at curbing Immigration and Customs Enforcement can be negotiated without jeopardizing funding for other agencies.
Those agencies include the Defense Department and domestic programs such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Head Start, the federal early childhood education and family support program.
Democratic calls to split the bill escalated after the fatal shooting of Renée Good, a Minneapolis mother of three, by an immigration enforcement officer earlier this month. The urgency increased further following the death of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who was killed after being shot by federal agents over the weekend.
Negotiations ongoing
Despite blocking the bill, Democratic leaders signaled that negotiations remain active and that the vote does not necessarily reflect a breakdown in talks.
Under a potential deal, Democrats would eventually vote to advance the six-bill package — the first procedural step needed to allow amendments — while DHS funding would be temporarily extended through a short-term bill. That extension would give Democrats and the White House additional time to negotiate possible policy changes related to immigration enforcement.
Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., retained the ability to bring the same procedural vote back to the floor later Thursday or Friday if negotiators reach an agreement.
Negotiations are focused largely on Democrats’ request to separate DHS funding, according to sources familiar with the talks.
Democratic demands on ICE
Ahead of negotiations, Senate Democrats outlined a list of conditions tied to DHS funding. Those demands include ending roving immigration patrols, requiring federal agents to follow the same use-of-force standards as state and local law enforcement, banning agents from wearing masks during operations, and mandating the use of body cameras.
Republicans need support from at least seven Democrats in the Senate to advance the funding package and avert a shutdown.
While Democratic leadership has privately expressed optimism that talks are moving in the right direction, that sentiment has not been universally shared within the White House, sources said.
Shutdown still possible
Even if an agreement is reached, a brief partial shutdown remains likely. Any changes approved by the Senate would have to be sent back to the House, which is currently in recess until Monday.
The White House has not publicly commented on the negotiations as lawmakers race against the funding deadline.
