Lawmakers reached an agreement to avoid a partial government shutdown and temporarily extend funding for the Department of Homeland Security, while discussions continue over new limits on President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement. The funding plan, however, faced a delay late Thursday as leaders sought to secure enough votes ahead of the Friday midnight deadline.
Under the terms of the compromise, federal agencies apart from the Department of Homeland Security would receive funding through September. The DHS, meanwhile, would be financed with a two-week interim measure, giving negotiators time to address changes Democrats are seeking following public concern over two recent deaths caused by DHS agents in Minneapolis.
The Senate planned to hold a vote on the agreement Thursday evening, but unresolved issues forced lawmakers to postpone the decision until Friday. The House is scheduled to return on Monday. If the Senate approves the deal, the House would still need to vote on the measure before sending it to President Trump for enactment.
Trump, through a social media update on Thursday night, stated that both major parties have cooperated to fund most of the government until September and to maintain DHS funding temporarily. He encouraged bipartisan support for the bill in upcoming votes.
The bipartisan agreement emerged shortly after the Senate turned down a larger $1.2 trillion funding proposal previously approved by the House, which combined multiple appropriations bills, including extended DHS funding. The rejection was anticipated, as Democrats had made it clear they would not support the package unless changes were made to address concerns over DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities.
Democratic negotiators are pressing for restrictions on certain enforcement tactics, such as the use of roving patrols in urban areas, and stronger requirements for DHS to coordinate with local authorities for immigration-related arrests. Additional measures under discussion include stricter warrant requirements and the introduction of an enforceable code of conduct for DHS agents to improve accountability.
