Last-minute hiccups hit Dems' deal with White House as shutdown looms
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks to the media at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 13. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
The Senate will have to try again on Friday to pass a funding deal to separate the fight over ICE funding from the threat of a broader government shutdown.
Why it matters: The deal between the White House and Senate Democrats doesn't promise Democrats the changes they want, but it would avoid disruptions to other government services while giving negotiators more time.
- President Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he was "working hard with Congress to ensure that we are able to fully fund the Government, without delay."
- He added: "Hopefully, both Republicans and Democrats will give a very much needed Bipartisan "YES" Vote."
Driving the news: The Senate had hoped to quickly advance the bill on Thursday, but senators were sent home without a vote.
- "Republicans need to get their act together," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters Thursday.
- Schumer said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was holding up the deal.
- Graham told reporters on Thursday that "the cops need us right now" and criticized a House-passed provision that would repeal payouts to senators targeted in Operation Arctic Frost.
Zoom in: As part of the deal, senators are trying to pass the broader, non-DHS government funding package to avoid a shutdown at the end of the day Friday.
- Lawmakers will also pass a stopgap measure to continue current funding for DHS for two weeks, during which time negotiations will continue over Democrats' demands for changes at the department.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has said he's willing to let DHS funding lapse in two weeks if the talks don't result in changes Democrats want.
- Those demands include barring federal agents from wearing masks and requiring that they wear body cameras, along with a ban on roving patrols and tighter use of warrants.
Zoom out: Senate Democrats pledged this week to block government funding if the White House did not agree to reforms at DHS after federal agents killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday.
- If negotiators fail to reach a deal over ICE and Homeland Security, funding will also cease for the Coast Guard, TSA and FEMA.
What to watch: The Senate will still need unanimous consent to be able to clear procedural hurdles and pass the package ahead of the weekend.
- Several rank-and-file Republicans were still negotiating with leadership on which amendments they wanted votes on.
- The House, which is not in session until Monday, would also need to pass the package before it can head to President Trump's desk.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
