Senate Democrats block bill to fund DHS, spurning increased GOP pressure

Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), spurning pressure from Republicans who argued the conflict with Iran has heightened the need to end the agency shutdown.

Senators voted 51-45 on the measure that would have funded DHS for the remainder of fiscal 2026, with every Democrat — save for Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.) — voting against it. Sixty votes were required for passage.

Republicans had pointed to the conflict with Iran to push Democrats to fund DHS, arguing the strikes had increased threats to the homeland. But even centrist Democrats appeared unmoved by the argument.

“No, I don’t. … [Republicans] gave DHS plenty of money in the ‘big, beautiful bill.’ They have plenty of money. So we’re not going to suddenly say, ‘Oh, well, let’s give up our request for necessary reforms,’” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) told The Hill earlier this week.

The latest failed vote ensures the shutdown will last into a fourth week as lawmakers make little headway toward a deal.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) indicated that discussions between the White House and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) are struggling to make progress. He noted that although the White House has told Democratic negotiators they are willing to codify some reforms Democrats have requested, a sizable gap remains.

“It’s never enough, and I think the reason it’s never enough is because they just really don’t want a deal,” Thune said. “I think they see this as politically advantageous to them, but this is a posture they’ve adopted, which has become increasingly clear.” 

“It is just a flat-out unwillingness to try and solve this problem or fund the department,” he continued. “And at some point, something bad is going to happen.”

The impasse also led to floor jostling ahead of the vote. 

Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.), the top Democratic appropriator, attempted to pass a bill to fund DHS, but not Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CPB) and the department secretary’s office. 

The unanimous consent request was blocked by Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.).

The vote took place just as President Trump announced he would replace DHS Secretary Kristi Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).

Britt has recently attempted to spur member-to-member negotiations amid the stalemate.

“We’re still far apart, but we’re still negotiating and exchanging paper back and forth,” Schumer, the lead Democratic negotiator, said Tuesday. “It’s very easy for them to get all of this funded. Simply to agree to our commonsense proposals on ICE and Border Patrol. What we’ve asked for is what every police force does.” 

Democrats have repeatedly called for warrants to be tightened and that ICE and CBP agents be unmasked while carrying out operations, among other things. 

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Senate Democrats block bill to fund DHS, spurning increased GOP pressure

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