The U.S. Senate on Friday passed a bill to fund most federal agencies through September, while approving a two-week temporary extension for the Department of Homeland Security's budget. This provides Congress time to debate new measures restricting federal immigration raids nationwide. The bill passed with a 71-29 vote and has been sent to the House of Representatives. However, since the House does not reconvene until Monday, multiple federal departments will experience a "technical shutdown" over the weekend until the bill is approved. This marks the second government shutdown in the past year, occurring just 11 weeks after the end of the longest 43-day shutdown in U.S. history in 2025. The White House has directed several agencies, including the Departments of Transportation, Education, and Defense, to implement shutdown plans. With the federal government nearing a weekend shutdown and following the fatal shooting of two protesters by federal agents in Minneapolis, President Trump finalized the funding deal with Senate Democrats on Thursday. Democrats had previously stated they would not support the massive spending bill unless Congress considered legislation requiring agents to be unmasked, obtain more warrants, and allow local authorities to assist in investigating all incidents. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stated after the vote: "The entire nation is on the brink of collapse. The American people urgently demand that Congress step up and drive substantive change." Lawmakers from both parties called for investigations into the two fatal shootings, while Trump expressed his desire to avoid a shutdown and reached this rare bipartisan agreement with his long-time political rival Schumer. Subsequently, Trump urged bipartisan lawmakers to cast the "much-needed bipartisan yes vote." Following a conference call with Republican lawmakers on Friday, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House is expected to vote on the bill Monday evening, though it remains uncertain how much support the funding package will receive. Johnson's right-wing Republican faction has explicitly opposed limiting Homeland Security funding, forcing him to rely on Democratic support; Democrats have also raised objections, demanding immediate restrictions on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a condition for funding. It is currently unclear to what extent Trump will participate in negotiations over new restrictions on immigration arrests, or whether Republicans and Democrats can find any compromise. Schumer made it clear that if the bill fails to constrain ICE and halt enforcement violence in two weeks, Senate Democrats will not support extending Homeland Security funding. "If Republican colleagues are unwilling to push for real change, don't expect Democratic votes," he said. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also stated that any amendments to the Homeland Security bill must be "practical and bring fundamental change." Jeffries warned that without "significant changes," "Republicans will once again cause a government shutdown." South Dakota Republican Senator and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said both parties would "negotiate in good faith," but reaching any consensus in such a short time would be "extremely difficult." "We remain hopeful, but there are considerable differences between the parties at present," Thune noted. Angered Democratic lawmakers have demanded the White House halt "mobile patrol enforcement" in cities, coordinate immigration arrests with local law enforcement, and implement stricter requirements for officers to obtain warrants. Democrats also called for mandatory enforcement conduct standards to ensure accountability for violations. Schumer stated federal agents should follow standard practices of most law enforcement agencies by "removing masks, activating body cameras," and carrying valid identification. It is understood that on January 24, 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretty was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents; two weeks earlier, protester Renee Goode had been killed by ICE officers. Government officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, initially claimed Pretty had assaulted an officer, but multiple videos from the scene contradicted this account. Trump's concessions to Democrats drew opposition from some Senate Republicans, not only delaying the final vote but also foreshadowing a divisive two-week debate. Trump ally and South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham delivered a fiery Senate speech warning Republicans against making excessive concessions. "Republicans, where do you stand?" Graham demanded, stating ICE and Border Patrol agents had been "falsely maligned and smeared." Several Republican lawmakers said if Democrats insist on pushing enforcement restrictions on ICE, Republicans would counter by demanding limits on so-called "sanctuary cities"—which they accuse of failing to combat illegal immigration. Missouri Republican Senator Eric Schmitt stated before the vote: "There is no way we will let Democrats weaken law enforcement and block deportations as a condition for funding Homeland Security." However, some Republicans acknowledged that ICE enforcement procedures need adjustment, even if they cannot agree to all Democratic demands. Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul noted: "I believe the situation has improved in recent days, and rhetorical confrontations in the Minneapolis area have also eased." After Trump secured the funding deal with Democrats, Graham held up the bill for nearly a day until Thune agreed to schedule a future vote on his "sanctuary cities" legislation. Additionally, Graham protested the repeal of a new law allowing senators to claim millions from the government if their personal or office data is obtained without their knowledge—a situation he and other senators faced during the "Polar Frost" investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot. The House passed the funding bill last week, including a provision repealing this new law. But Graham stated Thune had agreed to consider separate legislation allowing "groups and ordinary citizens" involved in Jack Smith-related investigations to file lawsuits.
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