Vote remains open as senators talk on floor
All senators have voted, but the vote remains open, nearly an hour and a half after it started. The partisan breakdown has not changed compared to previous tallies — only Democratic Sen. John Fetterman has crossed the aisle.
There have been a handful of bipartisan conversations on the floor over the past few minutes. GOP Sen. Katie Britt was seen chatting with Democratic Sens. Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Gary Peters of Michigan and Angus King of Maine, an independent.
Thune says discussions ongoing, indicates willingness to tweak offer
Thune told reporters that Republicans haven’t received a formal response from the Democrats to their offer, but he said “the vote is indicative” of their opposition, referring to the DHS vote that remains open but has only received support from one Democrat.
The majority leader expressed openness to some changes, saying discussions are ongoing and “if there’s something that they think needs to be tweaked, one way or the other, as long as that’s a final thing, then we’ll see if it can get done.”
Thune outlined that Republicans tried to accommodate “language requests” that Democrats had made in their latest offer.
“At some point they got to take yes for an answer,” Thune said.
Kim says GOP offer is “not where we want it to be”
Democratic Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey said Democrats are continuing to evaluate the Republicans’ offer but said it does not go far enough.
“We’re talking through it right now but it’s not where we want it to be,” Kim said off the Senate floor. “We just continue to be stuck here.”
Kim said “we’re hunkered down” and “hopefully we can just continue to hash it out.” He did not give details about the latest offer, noting that conversations are “evolving in real time.”
“But for me, it’s not good enough for me,” he added.
Senate now voting on advancing DHS funding
The Senate is taking a procedural vote on funding for DHS. The vote marks the seventh attempt to advance the measure, which needs 60 votes.
Asked whether the vote would be considered a response to the latest GOP offer, Thune said, “Hopefully there will be, yeah, there will be some finality in this real soon.”
“We’re going to know real soon,” he added.
Photo ID amendment fails in party-line vote
The amendment that would have required voters to show photo identification to cast a ballot failed to advance. The vote was 53-47, falling short of the 60 votes needed to succeed.
The vote came during the second week of a marathon debate over a controversial elections bill known as the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and certain forms of photo ID to cast a ballot. The legislation does not have enough support to clear the 60-vote threshold in the upper chamber, but President Trump has dialed up the pressure on Senate Republicans to find a way to force it through.
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Britt says Republicans have had “very fruitful conversations” with Democrats
GOP Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, who has been involved in talks to end the stalemate, told reporters that Republicans have had productive conversations with Democrats.
“We had very fruitful conversations last night with some of our Democrat colleagues and this morning. So, you know, I hope that we can find that pathway. I think that’s what’s best,” she said. “These missions don’t need to go unfunded, particularly at such a critical time in our nation’s history, and also the men and women that are working need to get paid.”
Senate begins vote on advancing amendment on photo ID for voting
The Senate has begun a vote on invoking cloture on an amendment that would require a photo ID to cast a ballot in federal elections. It needs 60 votes to succeed.
The vote on advancing DHS funding is expected next.
King says Democrats are reviewing GOP offer
Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats and has been involved in the talks over DHS funding, said Democrats are going over the latest Republican proposal.
“We’re reviewing that offer now,” King told reporters.
Thune: “Hopefully we can find a pathway to drive this to the finish”
Leaving the floor, Thune didn’t share details about the latest GOP offer, noting that the text is now in front of Democrats. But he stressed that “it’s important that we try and close this down and get it done today.”
“Let’s let the Dems react to what’s out there, and hopefully we can find a pathway to drive this to the finish,” Thune said.
He said the White House has been involved in “the back-and-forth that has occurred overnight and all morning.” He also suggested that the offer is close to what Republicans offered early this week, which Democrats rejected because it didn’t include reforms to ICE.
Asked about the possibility of delaying the Senate’s recess, Thune said If DHS funding isn’t resolved, “I suspect we’ll probably be around here.”
Thune says Republicans sent Democrats “last and final” offer
Entering the Senate chamber, Thune told reporters that Republicans have made a final offer to Democrats.
“The Dems are now in possession of what I think is our last and final,” Thune said. “So let’s hope this gets it done.”
Senate moves up votes to 1 p.m.
The votes that were originally scheduled for 1:30 p.m. — on the voter ID amendment and advancing DHS funding — will now take place at 1 p.m., according to Majority Whip John Barrasso’s office.
House to vote for third time on DHS funding
The House will vote this afternoon on legislation to fund DHS as movement on the issue remains stalled in the Senate.
The lower chamber has twice passed legislation to fund the entire department through September, but it’s been effectively dead on arrival in the Senate as it’s been unable to overcome the 60-vote threshold to advance.
A vote is also planned on a resolution “expressing the support of the House” for the department. The resolution would do little beyond offer gratitude for DHS employees.
Votes are expected to begin around 2 p.m.
House Democrats, meanwhile, are trying to force a vote on legislation to fund all of DHS except ICE and CBP. But their discharge petition, introduced last week, is short of the 218 signatures needed to move forward. So far, 205 of 214 Democrats have backed it. It would also need the support of four Republicans.
GOP senator says talks to end impasse have increased
Sen. John Hoeven, a North Dakota Republican involved in the DHS negotiations, told reporters at the Capitol that talks continue and have increased.
“We put options in front of the Democrats, and they just need to quit backing up on us and vote to get DHS funded and TSA agents paid,” Hoeven said.
He cited developments since the initial Democratic opposition to funding DHS, including the new leadership at the department and the deescalation in Minneapolis, along with some of the reforms within the initial DHS bill that remain on the table.
“I’m hoping that as we get to the end of this week — you know how it works around here with deadlines — that that’s going to get us to a point where we get it done,” he said. “But we’re still working.”
Hoeven said it’s a good thing that the Senate has begun voting, with a failed vote Wednesday on advancing the DHS bill and another vote set for later this afternoon. He said “I think that helps get some movement.”
“We’re just trying to find what it’s going to take to bring folks together and get it done,” Hoeven said.
Thune: “We’re trying to narrow it in and home in on a deal”
Thune, appearing on Fox News on Thursday morning, accused Democrats of moving the goalposts and “talking in circles” on DHS funding.
“Every single day they move the goalpost,” Thune said. “They said we don’t want to fund ICE. And now they’re saying we don’t want to fund ICE and we want reforms.”
The majority leader said “we’re trying to narrow it in and home in on a deal” that can be struck in the “very near future.” But he argued that for Democrats, it’s “all about politics.”
“I think they’re just playing politics with this, have been from the beginning,” Thune said. “They think it’s really good with their base.”
Thune said “this has got to stop,” adding that “I think they’re going to come to their senses — I hope they do.”
Asked whether the Senate will go on its scheduled recess, Thune reiterated that “it’s very hard to take off if we don’t have DHS funded.”
“Obviously we’re looking at optionality in terms of what it would take if we have to be here,” Thune said. “But one way or the other, we have to get this done.”
Trump warns of “very drastic measures” without end to shutdown
At the beginning of a Cabinet meeting at the White House, President Trump blasted Democrats for the ongoing impasse, saying they are “really punishing the American people.”
“They need to end the shutdown immediately, or we’ll have to take some very drastic measures,” the president said, without elaborating.
Senate to take up voter ID amendment, DHS funding beginning at 1:30 p.m.
The Senate is scheduled to convene at noon and will take two votes at 1:30 p.m, according to a notice from Majority Whip John Barrasso’s office.
The first vote will be on advancing an amendment to the SAVE America Act, which would require photo ID to cast a vote. The second vote will be on advancing the DHS funding measure. Additional votes are possible later in the day.
Sen. Ron Johnson renews call to end the filibuster
GOP Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin wrote an op-ed Thursday advocating for changing the Senate rules to end the 60-vote threshold required to advance most legislation in the chamber, a position he has been reiterating in recent days.
“I’m not sure how things could get much worse by ending the filibuster,” Johnson wrote in the Daily Wire. “The status quo certainly isn’t working. I think it’s obvious things must change — we need a paradigm shift.”
Johnson described dysfunction in the Senate, pointing particularly to the funding process and the five shutdowns that have occurred since he came to Congress in 2011. He compared the Senate to “plaque clogging an artery leading to a heart attack.”
He acknowledged those in his party who wish to preserve the filibuster and argue that it fosters bipartisanship. But the Wisconsin Republican said that, if the filibuster ends, “we all might be surprised to find senators attempting to find common ground on more issues to help ensure bills pass with bipartisan support.”
Johnson opposed ending the filibuster until last fall’s 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. In 2022, Johnson said Democrats who wanted to abolish the practice were attempting a “naked power grab.”
Trump floats ending the filibuster to open DHS
President Trump floated ending the Senate’s 60-vote threshold to reopen DHS, asking, “When is ‘enough, enough’ for our Republican Senators.”
“There comes a time when you must do what should have been done a long time ago, and something which the Lunatic Democrats will do on day one, if they ever get the chance,” Mr. Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, and get our airports, and everything else, moving again.”
The president urged the Senate to also add the SAVE America Act, an election bill he has repeatedly pushed Congress to pass. Earlier this week, he threw a wrench into DHS talks when he told Republicans not to make a deal with Democrats and to instead link the elections bill to DHS funding.
Thune has repeatedly said there isn’t support for ending the filibuster within the GOP conference.
The president claimed in another post that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer “will make a deal now because he thinks that if he doesn’t, Republicans will TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, something which they should do whether he makes a deal or not!!!”
Senate schedule up in the air as recess looms
The Senate is scheduled to be on recess for two weeks starting next week. But Thune has kept the door open to keeping the chamber in town if the impasse persists.
The majority leader told reporters as the Senate convened Wednesday that no decisions had been made yet on whether senators would stay in town if they’re unable to reach a deal.
“I think it’s awfully hard not to have the government funded if we’re not here,” Thune said.
Later Wednesday, Thune suggested that the deadline could put pressure on senators, who often leave town on Thursday nights, to reach a deal.
“You know how it is around here. It’s not Thursday yet,” Thune said. “And sometimes you’ve got to let things run. We’ll see where the deal might land.”
Senate to vote again on advancing DHS funding
The Senate is set to vote Thursday afternoon on advancing a DHS funding measure. The motion fell short of the 60-vote threshold needed to succeed on Wednesday for the sixth time.
It was the first time the chamber took the vote with the promise of the GOP offer, which would amend the measure funding all of DHS by stripping out the funds for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division. Just one Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, voted in favor of moving forward. But Republicans are hoping to peel off more support on Thursday.
Democrats pushing for reforms after GOP offers to forgo ICE deportation funding
Republicans quickly rejected Democrats’ counterproposal to fund the government and secure ICE reforms like boosting training standards and requiring immigration officers to wear identification on Wednesday. They criticized the offer as unserious, arguing that if Democrats refuse to fund ICE, they don’t have grounds to seek reforms to the agency.
Democrats see things differently.
Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, who struck a deal with Republicans to end the last shutdown, outlined that ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations division and Customs and Border Protection would be funded under the GOP offer. He claimed that “right now, most of HSI is in ICE doing ERO work.”
“It’s an illusory solution, if they can man ICE with people from … CBP and HSI,” King said. “I don’t have any problem with HSI and CBP doing their jobs. But not if they’re doing ICE’s job.”
Despite the GOP pushback on Democrats’ effort to secure reforms, Thune suggested later in the day that there is some room for negotiation, saying if Democrats “get a more realistic set of proposals, or a more realistic offer on the table, then we’ll be back in business.”
The majority leader also didn’t rule out the possibility of a short-term measure to fund the government while conversations continue on a long-term solution.