Senate Democrats reject DHS funding bill, GOP warns shutdown all but certain

WASHINGTON, DC: A shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appeared all but certain on Thursday, February 12, after Senate Democrats voted to block a key funding bill just hours before Friday night’s deadline

The measure failed in a 52–47 vote, falling short of the 60 votes required to advance. Democrats later also blocked a two-week stopgap funding extension.

GOP Sen Katie Britt, the lead Republican negotiator, offered the short-term bill on the Senate floor, but Democratic Sen Chris Murphy objected shortly after Democrats voted down the broader DHS funding package.

Unless negotiators strike a last-minute agreement, DHS, which oversees FEMA, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Coast Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will face a funding lapse at midnight on Friday.

Mike Johnson calls White House offer ‘eminently reasonable’

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the White House’s latest proposal in the DHS negotiations, describing it as “eminently reasonable.”

“I saw the last proposal sent over from the White House. It is eminently reasonable and gives on some very meaningful provisions that were part of the discussions,” Johnson told CNN.

He accused some Democrats in both chambers of intentionally pushing the government toward a shutdown.

“It seems to me, the appearance here is that some Democrats, House and Senate, want a government shutdown. They want to impose more pain on the American people. For what? I have no idea,” he said.

Johnson also maintained his opposition to requiring judicial warrants for certain immigration enforcement actions, arguing that such a requirement would cripple ICE operations.

“You can’t have an Immigration and Customs Enforcement program if you have to get a judicial warrant every time you go to arrest someone,” he said. “That’s not how it works. It’s not workable.”

John Thune acknowledges shutdown threat but sees room for talks

Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged that a shutdown was now a “real threat” following the failed votes.

“I think if they block a CR, hopefully negotiations continue. Obviously, that means that starting at midnight tomorrow night, there are certain agencies of government that won’t be funded, which would be unfortunate,” Thune said.

While conceding the gravity of the moment, Thune argued that negotiations between Senate Democrats and the White House had shown progress.

“They’re posturing right now, I think, but I do think the progress has been real. I think the concessions on the part of the administration have been real,” he said.

However, Thune said that he would not keep senators in Washington through the long weekend or next week’s scheduled recess. Lawmakers would only be called back if a deal was reached.

“I don’t know that there’s any value to or benefit to keeping everybody here, as long as the White House and the Senate Democrats are continuing that discussion,” he said.

Asked whether senators should proceed with planned diplomatic travel, including trips to the Munich Security Conference, Thune said that the decision would be left to individual members.

Immigration policy dispute drives standoff

The impasse centered on disagreements over federal immigration enforcement tactics, including Democratic demands for greater oversight of ICE and Republican resistance to additional legal requirements.

Democrats argued that reforms were necessary to ensure accountability and prevent abuses. Republicans contended that added restrictions would severely hamper deportation efforts and border security operations.

With lawmakers leaving Washington and no compromise in place, DHS appeared to be headed for a partial shutdown, the latest flashpoint in an escalating battle over immigration policy and federal enforcement authority.