Senate passes Trump-backed government funding deal, sending to House
Share this @internewscast.com


The legislative measure will now proceed to the House, which is not scheduled to reconvene until Monday. Consequently, the government might experience a brief partial shutdown over the weekend.

WASHINGTON — On Friday, the Senate approved funding for most government operations through the end of September. However, it granted only a short-term extension for Homeland Security funding, allowing for a two-week window to deliberate over potential new limits on federal immigration raids nationwide.

Facing an impending weekend shutdown, President Donald Trump reached a spending agreement with Senate Democrats on Thursday, following the deaths of two protesters at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis. The Democrats insisted they would not support the comprehensive spending bill unless Congress considers new measures to reveal agents’ identities, increase warrant requirements, and permit local authorities to participate in investigations of such incidents.

“The nation is reaching a breaking point,” stated Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer after the vote. “The American people are demanding that Congress step up and force change.”

As calls for investigations into the fatal shootings came from both political parties, Trump, who wished to avoid a shutdown, brokered an unusual agreement with Schumer, a frequent opponent. Trump subsequently urged both parties to deliver a “much needed Bipartisan ‘YES’ vote.”

The legislation passed with a 71-29 vote and will now proceed to the House, which is not expected to reconvene until Monday. This delay implies that the government might temporarily experience a partial shutdown over the weekend until the bill is enacted.

Speaker Mike Johnson, who held a conference call Friday with GOP lawmakers, said he expects the House to vote Monday evening. But what is uncertain is how much support there will be for the package.

Johnson’s right flank has signaled opposition to limits on Homeland Security funds, leaving him reliant on Democrats who have their own objections to funding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement without immediate restraints.

Two-week debate over ICE

It was unclear how involved Trump will be in the negotiations over new restrictions on immigration arrests — or if Republicans and Democrats could find any points of compromise.

Senate Democrats will not support an extension of Homeland Security funding in two weeks “unless it reins in ICE and ends violence,” Schumer said. “If our colleagues are not willing to enact real change, they should not expect Democratic votes.”

Similarly, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters that any change in the homeland bill needs to be “meaningful and it needs to be transformative.”

Absent “dramatic change,” Jeffries said, “Republicans will get another shutdown.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said the two sides will “sit down in good faith,” but it will be “really, really hard to get anything done,” especially in such a short amount of time.

“We’ll stay hopeful, but there are some pretty significant differences of opinion,” Thune said.

Democrats demand change

Irate Democrats have asked the White House to “end roving patrols” in cities and coordinate with local law enforcement on immigration arrests, including requiring tighter rules for warrants.

They also want an enforceable code of conduct so agents are held accountable when they violate rules. Schumer said agents should be required to have “masks off, body cameras on” and carry proper identification, as is common practice in most law enforcement agencies.

Alex Pretti, a 37 year-old ICU nurse, was killed by a border patrol agent on Jan. 24, two weeks after protester Renee Good was killed by an ICE officer. Administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, originally said Pretti had aggressively approached officers, but multiple videos contradicted that claim.

Republican pushback

The president’s concessions to Democrats prompted pushback from some Senate Republicans, delaying the final votes and providing a preview of the coming debate over the next two weeks. In a fiery floor speech, Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina warned that Republicans should not give away too much.

“To the Republican party, where have you been?” Graham said, adding that ICE agents and Border Patrol agents have been “slandered and smeared.”

Several Republicans have said that if Democrats are going to push for restrictions on ICE, they will push for restrictions on so-called “sanctuary cities” that they say do not do enough to enforce illegal immigration.

“There no way in hell we’re going to let Democrats knee cap law enforcement and stop deportations in exchange for funding DHS,” said Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., ahead of the vote.

Still, some Republicans said they believe that changes to ICE’s operations were necessary, even as they were unlikely to agree to all of the Democrats’ requests.

“I think the last couple of days have been an improvement,” said Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul. “I think the rhetoric has been dialed down a little bit, in Minnesota.”

Last-minute promises

After Trump announced the deal with Democrats, Graham held the spending bills up for almost a day until Thune agreed to give him a vote on his sanctuary cities bill at a later date.

Separately, Graham was also protesting a repeal of a new law giving senators the ability to sue the government for millions of dollars if their personal or office data is accessed without their knowledge — as happened to him and other senators as part of the so-called Arctic Frost investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack by Trump supporters at the Capitol.

The spending bill, which was passed by the House last week, would repeal that law. But Graham said Thune had agreed to consider a separate bill that would allow “groups and private citizens” who were caught up in Jack Smith’s probe to sue.

Associated Press writers Kevin Freking, Stephen Groves, Joey Cappelletti, Seung Min Kim, Michelle L. Price and Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Powerful storm threatens East Coast including parts unaccustomed to heavy snow

Unprecedented Snowstorm Looms Over East Coast: Regions Unprepared for Winter’s Fury

WASHINGTON — On Saturday, approximately 240 million people found themselves under cold…
Man, 59, found dead in Queens apartment building with massive head injuries

59-Year-Old Man Discovered Deceased in Queens Apartment with Significant Head Trauma

Authorities are actively investigating the death of a 59-year-old man who was…
Deport Every Single Illegal Alien Possible

Comprehensive Plan Unveiled to Address Illegal Immigration Challenges

Dear Patriot, We’re reaching out with a straightforward request: Join us in…
IDF says Gaza strikes hit terrorists, weapons facilities after ceasefire breach; hospitals report 30 killed

IDF Targets Terrorists and Weapons Sites in Gaza, 30 Reported Dead in Hospital Reports

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Saturday that they launched strikes…
Chicago running events: Thousands of runners brave snow, cold for F^3 Lake Half Marathon & 5K at Solider Field

Thousands of Determined Runners Conquer Snow and Cold at Chicago’s F^3 Lake Half Marathon & 5K at Soldier Field

In a display of remarkable endurance, thousands of dedicated runners converged on…
Fox News Campus Radicals Newsletter: Dems target military college, anti-ICE nurse fury, more union follies

Campus Uproar: Military School Under Fire, Chicago Teachers Strike, College Nurse Sparks Viral Controversy

This week, Fox News Digital’s Campus Radicals investigative series highlights a series…
Chicago shootings this weekend: At least 10 shot, 2 fatally, in gun violence across city, police department says

Dramatic BNSF Railway Heist in New Lenox: Suspect in Custody, Accomplice on the Run After I-55 Crash

A dramatic rail theft incident unfolded in Will County on Saturday morning,…
N.Y. must block foreign influence in elections

New York Takes Steps to Curb Foreign Interference in Elections

Foreign capital is increasingly shaping American elections, not via individual contributions but…
Puerto Rico could be forced to withdraw from WBC due to insurance reason

Puerto Rico’s WBC Participation at Risk: The Unseen Impact of Insurance Challenges

Insurance issues could potentially lead one nation to pull out of the…
Shooting at Louisiana Mardi Gras parade leaves multiple people injured: reports

Multiple Injuries Reported in Louisiana Mardi Gras Parade Shooting

In Clinton, Louisiana, a festive Mardi Gras parade turned tragic on Saturday…
Hundreds of political prisoners in Venezuela could be released under new amnesty bill

Venezuelan Amnesty Bill Could Lead to Freedom for Hundreds of Political Prisoners

In a significant political development, Venezuela’s acting President, Delcy Rodríguez, has announced…
Venezuela releases all known American detainees after Maduro's capture and government takeover

Venezuela Frees All Known American Detainees Following Maduro’s Detention and Government Overhaul

On Friday evening, the U.S. Embassy announced that all American citizens known…