The Senate failed to pass bills funding the Department of Homeland Security, leading to a likely weekend shutdown as lawmakers struggle to find a compromise on immigration reform.
Capitol Hill was silent by Friday morning as both the House and Senate left Washington, D.C., for their previously scheduled recess recognizing President’s Day. But looming in the background is another partial government shutdown, the third closure in less than six months.
The Senate failed to pass a pair of bills the day before aimed at funding the Department of Homeland Security, all but ensuring a weekend shutdown to take place on Saturday as lawmakers struggle to find a compromise on immigration reform.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., scheduled a vote on Thursday for the DHS spending bill that would keep the department open through the end of September, even with the expectation it would fall short of the 60 votes needed to advance. Senate Democrats made clear ahead of time they would not back the bill, withholding the support needed to overcome the chamber’s strict filibuster rules.
The Senate failed to pass a pair of bills aimed at funding the Department of Homeland Security, all but ensuring a weekend shutdown to take place on Saturday as lawmakers struggle to find a compromise on immigration reform.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., scheduled a vote on Thursday for the DHS spending bill that would keep the department open through the end of September, even with the expectation it would fall short of the 60 votes needed to advance. Senate Democrats made clear ahead of time they would not back the bill, withholding the support needed to overcome the chamber’s strict filibuster rules.
After that vote failed, Republicans sought to pass a temporary two-week extension to keep the department open while talks continue, but Democrats blocked that bill on the floor.
“We don’t have a solution yet, and the Democrats, at least at the moment, definitely have no interest in funding the Department of Homeland Security,” Thune said on Thursday afternoon. “They really don’t want the solution. They don’t want the answer. They want the political issue.”
The failed votes leave the Senate at a standstill less than 48 hours before federal funding for DHS is set to lapse early Saturday morning. But it’s not clear how party leaders will move forward.
“Hopefully negotiations continue, but if they don’t, obviously, that means that starting at midnight tomorrow night, there are certain agencies of government that won’t be funded,” Thune said on Thursday. “Which would be unfortunate.”
What agencies are affected in a DHS shutdown?
Although the shutdown only affects one department, there are many agencies and thousands of workers who are still at risk.