TL/DR –
The U.S. Senate is nearing a potential government shutdown, hindered by a stand-off over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. Democrats are refusing to support any legislation that includes DHS funding, calling for reforms to the department and a halt to funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The government shutdown deadline looms on Friday, January 30, 2026.
The Senate has to pass a funding package by Jan. 30 to prevent another potential government shutdown. However, the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal agents has sparked strong opposition from Senate Democrats over funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
All Democratic and Independent senators from New England have stated they will not vote for legislation that includes funding for the DHS. They have asked Senate Majority Leader John Thune to remove that bill from the six-bill funding package.
\”The Trump admin has empowered masked goons who terrorize American citizens, undermine local law enforcement, and lie to the American people about constitutional violations. Everyone knows the DHS funding bill needs work, and I will not vote for it as it’s currently written,\” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., said in a post on social media Jan. 27. \”Senate Republicans should separate the DHS bill, like the House did, so we can pass all other appropriations and fund the government.\”
On the Senate floor live Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he\’d vote \”no\” on any legislation that funds ICE in the 2026 budget until it is \”reined in and overhauled,\” stating President Donald Trump has taken \”zero accountability\” over the deaths of Pretti and Renee Good at the hands of federal officers.
Senate Democrats have three main demands for reforming the Department of Homeland Security in the wake of Pretti\’s killing, including more accountability for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol.
Thune has called for a full investigation into Pretti\’s death and noted \”productive talks\” between Democrats and Republicans were ongoing. Some Republican senators, including John Kennedy of Louisiana and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, have expressed an openness to splitting up the funding bills.
But even if Senate Republicans conceded to breaking up the funding package, the bills would be kicked back to the House of Representatives, which is on a weeklong recess.
The impasse is almost guaranteeing another shutdown of possibly large parts of the federal government following last year\’s record-breaking crisis.
Does the Senate vote today?
The Senate returns at 10:30 a.m. ET today, Thursday, Jan. 29, and a Senate vote today to prevent another government shutdown is possible.
What time is the next Senate vote? Next government shutdown vote
The Senate returns to session today at 10:30 a.m. with a vote expected sometime today. If the legislation passes, it would fund key federal departments and keep the government open.
How to watch Senate vote; Senate live stream
To watch Senate hearings and Senate votes live, as well as rewatch a hearing, visit the Senate.gov website, where it is streamed free. Live coverage of Senate sessions on C-SPAN is available on cable TV and livestreams on various streaming platforms.
Is the Senate voting today on 2026 budget?
The Senate vote Thursday is not on the 2026 budget; rather, it\’s on six of 12 annual spending bills for the current budget year. These includes DHS funding, including Border Patrol and ICE funding bills, along with funding for the departments of Defense; Labor, Health and Human Services and Education; Transportation and Housing and Urban Development; State; and Treasury.
Is the government shutting down again? Another government shutdown?
Chances of another government shutdown Jan. 31 are increasing as Democrats say they won\’t vote for any bill that includes funding for DHS.
Senate schedule
The U.S. Senate returned to session weekdays starting Monday, Jan. 26, after a weeklong recess. Senators tend to formal business, or are in session, around 140 to 165 days annually, The Senate schedule shows lawmakers typically tend to formal business, or are in session, around 140 of 165 days annually. These are \”legislative\” days when the U.S. Senate convenes to debate bills, vote, or conduct floor business.
When was the last government shutdown?
The last government shutdown was the longest shut down in history, stretching from Oct. 1, 2025, to Nov. 12, 2025. Senate Democrats and Republicans, including President Donald Trump, failed to agree on a long-term deal to keep the government funded, only passing (temporary) funding bills through Jan. 30.
Contributing: Zachary Schermele
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