Senate Passes $1.2 Trillion Funding Bill, Partial Shutdown Looms

In a late session on Friday, the Senate approved a $1.2 trillion government funding bill, finally breaking a prolonged deadlock after GOP Senator Lindsey Graham lifted his hold on the measure. However, despite the overwhelming 71-29 vote, the federal government is still poised for a partial shutdown at midnight since the House of Representatives isn’t set to reconvene until Monday.

Just prior to the final vote, a procedural attempt to advance a broader funding bill failed 55-45, mainly because several Republicans sided with Democrats—these included Rand Paul from Kentucky, Ted Budd from North Carolina, Ron Johnson from Wisconsin, Mike Lee from Utah, Ashley Moody from Florida, Rick Scott from Florida, and Tommy Tuberville from Alabama.

The bill’s passage was made possible after Graham reached an agreement with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, ensuring a future vote on legislation aimed at penalizing “sanctuary cities.” Graham had been vocal earlier in the day about threatening to block the package unless local officials who do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities faced consequences. Additionally, he secured a commitment for a separate vote that would allow individuals to sue for damages related to the “Arctic Frost” investigation led by former Special Counsel Jack Smith.

This funding deal comes in the wake of national protests following the deadly shootings of two anti-ICE protesters by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month. Democrats appeared to be leveraging the tragic incidents to hinder the national agenda, but Republicans found a way forward that emphasizes maintaining the rule of law. By separating the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from the larger funding package, they seem to have mitigated Democrat threats to hold up the entire government.

This compromise allows 96% of the government to stay operational while putting the debate over DHS on hold for a focused two-week discussion. Instead of discussing agency conduct as framed by Democratic lawmakers, attention has shifted back to the failure of “sanctuary” jurisdictions to comply with federal law, a point that Senator Graham and others argue is tied to the recent disorder in U.S. cities.

Democrats have called for body cameras for ICE agents, a ban on agents wearing masks, and stricter warrant requirements.

The Package Includes:

• Full-year funding through September for five of the six major appropriations bills, including Defense, Health and Human Services, and Labor.
• A two-week stopgap Continuing Resolution for DHS, effective until February 13.
• A commitment to negotiate reforms in immigration enforcement.

While the Senate has finalized its part, the House of Representatives remains in recess. Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated that the House won’t reconvene until Monday evening to consider the Senate’s bill.

The Office of Management and Budget has instructed federal agencies to prepare for a shutdown. However, since the lapse occurs over a weekend, the actual effect on most federal services is expected to be minimal if the House acts quickly on Monday.

The two-week extension for DHS sets the stage for a crucial confrontation in mid-February. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has warned that Democrats will not back further funding for DHS unless significant restrictions on immigration enforcement are implemented. On the flip side, Republicans like Senator Eric Schmitt have deemed such restrictions a “non-starter,” suggesting that the accord reached on Friday night might be short-lived.

President Trump, who encouraged a bipartisan vote to avert a shutdown, is anticipated to sign the bill once it passes through the House.