President Donald Trump woke up Thursday to a familiar Washington nightmare: a stalled funding bill, mounting pressure from Democrats, and a fast-approaching government shutdown deadline.
Late Thursday, Senate Democrats — joined by a handful of Republicans — blocked a major government funding package that must pass by 11:59 p.m. Friday to keep parts of the federal government running. The failed vote sent a clear signal that negotiations are far from resolved.
The motion to advance the legislation collapsed by a 45–55 vote, stopping the bill in its tracks.
Eight Republicans voted “no” alongside Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Thune flipped at the last minute, then quickly filed a motion to reconsider — a procedural move that keeps the bill alive for a potential return to the Senate floor.
DHS Funding Sparks Standoff
The core dispute centers on funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
Democrats say they will not support any spending package that includes DHS funding unless the Trump administration agrees to new oversight measures tied to immigration enforcement operations.
Sen. Patty Murray, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a lead negotiator on the bill, announced she would vote against advancing the package because DHS funding had not been separated.
She said Democrats are ready to immediately approve the five non-DHS spending bills, which fund popular priorities such as child care, medical research, air traffic control, and military readiness.
However, Murray warned that any package including Homeland Security funding remains a nonstarter.
“We agree on funding for many essential programs,” Murray said on the Senate floor. “But we cannot move forward on DHS without meaningful accountability.”
She specifically criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, arguing oversight reforms are overdue.
Behind-the-Scenes Talks Fall Short
Despite the failed vote, there were signs of movement behind closed doors.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and members of President Trump’s negotiating team reportedly made progress Wednesday toward a possible compromise. That plan would split DHS funding off from the larger package and deal with it separately.
A source familiar with the discussions said talks were ongoing and trending in Democrats’ favor, though no agreement had been finalized.
That uncertainty was enough to keep Democrats unified against advancing the bill.
Fetterman Joins the Block
In a surprise development, Sen. John Fetterman also voted “no.”
Fetterman previously criticized Democrats for prolonged shutdown fights, but aides said this vote was strategic. By blocking the package now, he hopes to force leadership to remove DHS funding and break the deadlock.
Earlier this week, Fetterman publicly called on President Trump to fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, underscoring growing internal tensions surrounding border policy.
Conservatives Also Push Back
Opposition didn’t just come from the left.
Seven fiscally conservative Republicans — including Sens. Rand Paul, Ron Johnson, Mike Lee, Rick Scott, and Tommy Tuberville — also voted against the bill, citing concerns about federal spending levels.
Shutdown Clock Ticks
With hours remaining before the deadline, the failed vote leaves Washington scrambling — and raises the risk of yet another shutdown showdown.
Unless leaders reach a last-minute deal, President Trump and congressional negotiators may soon face the political fallout of a funding lapse that neither party says it wants — but neither side is yet willing to prevent.
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