FLASH NEWS
Democrats block government funding in the US Senate, Trump: We don't want a government shutdown
2026-01-29 19:27:46 / BOTA
US senators blocked a massive spending bill on Thursday as final talks continue to avert a costly partial government shutdown expected to occur later this week.
All Democrats, who are pushing to force changes to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies after Alex Pretti's fatal encounter with federal agents in Minneapolis, voted not to advance the six-bill funding package.
Instead, they are demanding that Republicans and the White House agree to separate funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which houses ICE, from the rest of the package so it can be renegotiated.
Seven conservatives joined Democrats in blocking the package's progress by a vote of 45-55. Senate Majority Leader John Thune changed his vote to "no" to be able to bring the package up for a later vote.
If the Senate cannot convince all 100 senators to agree to separate the DHS funding bill from the rest of the package, as Democrats are demanding, then several key agencies, including Defense, Health and Human Services, Labor, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, will face a funding shortfall.
However, if a deal is reached, the bill would need to be approved by both chambers, meaning the closely divided House of Representatives would have to return to Washington and final approval could be delayed until Monday.
As of Thursday morning, leaders from both parties and the White House were moving closer to an agreement.
In the works was a proposal that would provide funding for the rest of the agencies in the package through the end of September, but would only temporarily extend funding for DHS, allowing the parties to continue negotiations.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune appeared optimistic ahead of the procedural vote, though he did not say whether he would support some of the proposals offered by Democrats.
"We're getting close. I hope it happens. My hope and expectation is that if the White House and Senate Democrats resolve this issue, they will be able to secure the votes necessary to pass it," he said.
Earlier, at the cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump told his cabinet that he hopes we don't have a government shutdown, we're working on that right now.
"The Democrats, I believe, don't want to see that either," Trump said.
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