Trump Government To Be Shut Down On Friday

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Senate Democrats, joined by a handful of Republicans, blocked a sweeping government funding package Thursday, pushing Washington closer to a possible shutdown as talks between President Trump and Democratic leaders remain unresolved.

The procedural vote to advance the legislation failed 45–55, leaving lawmakers with little time before the midnight Friday deadline to keep the government funded.

Eight Republicans voted against the motion alongside all Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.). Thune cast a late “no” vote and immediately filed a motion to reconsider, preserving the option to bring the package back to the floor if negotiations progress.

Democrats opposed the measure because it includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Party leaders say they will not support DHS funding without commitments from the Trump administration to curb Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s aggressive enforcement operations and address reports of violent encounters between federal agents and protesters.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a key negotiator on the spending deal, announced ahead of the vote that she would oppose the package unless DHS funding was removed.

Murray said Democrats are ready to pass the other five funding bills, which cover areas such as child care, cancer research, air traffic control and military spending, but warned that the Homeland Security portion remains a deal-breaker.

“We agree on funding for critical priorities,” Murray said on the Senate floor. “But we cannot move forward on Homeland Security without real progress on accountability.”

She also criticized ICE and Customs and Border Protection, saying both agencies have operated with insufficient oversight.

Earlier Thursday, there was cautious optimism in the Senate after Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) and the Trump administration made progress toward potentially separating the DHS funding from the rest of the package. A source familiar with the talks said discussions were ongoing and trending in Democrats’ favor, though no final agreement had been reached.

That progress was not enough to change votes. Murray reiterated that she would remain opposed until a formal deal to split off DHS funding is finalized.

In a notable move, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who previously criticized Democrats for contributing to a prolonged shutdown last year, also voted against advancing the bill. Sources said Fetterman viewed the vote as a way to force negotiations that would remove the Homeland Security portion. Earlier this week, he publicly urged Trump to dismiss Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Several fiscally conservative Republicans also opposed the package, including Sens. Rand Paul (Ky.), Ted Budd (N.C.), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Mike Lee (Utah), Ashley Moody (Fla.), Rick Scott (Fla.) and Tommy Tuberville (Ala.).

With the shutdown deadline approaching, lawmakers are now under mounting pressure to reach a compromise before federal funding expires.