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The Senate is preparing for a potential vote as early as Thursday night on a spending package designed to prevent another extended government shutdown. The agreement includes full-year funding for multiple federal departments but provides only a two-week stopgap measure for the Department of Homeland Security as Democrats demand new restrictions on ICE operations.
Senate leaders are circulating the tentative agreement among their party caucuses to identify any objections. The measure requires unanimous consent from all 100 senators to bypass procedural obstacles and enable a quick vote. Even if the Senate acts swiftly, a brief funding lapse will occur starting midnight Friday until the House reconvenes, likely on Monday, to consider the modified package.
The spending package maintains five full-year appropriations bills covering the departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, State, Transportation, and Treasury, which enjoy broad bipartisan backing.
The abbreviated DHS stopgap, negotiated between Senate leaders and the White House, aims to create time for renegotiating the department’s annual funding bill with additional ICE restrictions. This follows federal agents’ killing of U.S. protestor Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, which intensified demands for deescalation of immigration enforcement operations.
Senate Democrat Whip Richard Durbin of Illinois condemned what he called the administration’s “campaign of terror,” citing deaths, injuries, and wrongful detentions. Democrats are insisting on significant reforms to ICE procedures.
Republicans initially advocated for at least a four-week stopgap to allow sufficient time for negotiations and legislative action. Democrats successfully pushed for the shorter two-week extension, positioning the next funding deadline before the President’s Day congressional recess.
Democratic demands include ending roving immigration enforcement patrols, requiring judicial warrants, and mandating that ICE agents wear body cameras, carry identification, and remove masks. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer emphasized the need for a uniform code of conduct and independent investigations of agent misconduct.
Republicans have expressed concerns about certain Democratic proposals, particularly the mask prohibition.
Senator Thom Tillis argued that unmasking agents creates safety risks, as opponents could photograph and dox officers. However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries maintained that masked federal agents represent an unacceptable lack of accountability.
House Democrats are threatening impeachment proceedings against DHS Secretary Kirsti Noem if she is not removed from her position, potentially complicating negotiations on a full-year DHS funding bill.
Republicans are expected to introduce their own demands, with Senator Lindsey Graham highlighting sanctuary city policies as a primary concern. Senator Tillis proposed a compromise allowing private legal action against sanctuary jurisdictions if released individuals commit subsequent crimes.
Read more: Senate nears deal that avoids major shutdown, revisits Homeland Security funding
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