Senate Democrats blocked a huge government funding package on Thursday, with seven Senate Republicans breaking ranks to join them.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D N Y, had vowed to block the package unless Republicans removed DHS funding, and the seven GOP senators, including Ted Budd, Ron Johnson, Mike Lee, Ashley Moody, Rand Paul, Rick Scott, and Tommy Tuberville sided with him.
Democrats said they are willing to approve the other five bills in the six-bill package.
“Democrats are ready to avert a shutdown,” said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“We have five bills we all agree on. About 95% of the remaining budget. It is ready to go,” she continued. “We can pass those five bills, no problem. All Leader Thune has to do is tee them up for a vote.”
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., pushed ahead with a key test vote that would have opened debate and eventually sent the full package to President Trump’s desk.
Ahead of the vote, Thune said he hoped discussions between the White House and Senate Democrats would produce enough support to pass the package.
“That’s not going to happen in this bill, but there are, I mean, there’s a path to consider some of those things and negotiate that out between Republicans, Democrats, House, Senate, White House,” Thune said of the Democrats’ ICE reform demands. “But that’s not gonna happen in this bill.”
With the six-bill package now stalled, Senate Republicans and the White House are weighing alternatives to avoid a government shutdown. One option gaining traction would be to strip DHS funding from the package, pass the remaining five bills, and then pass a short-term funding extension, known as a continuing resolution (CR) for Homeland Security.
Negotiations are ongoing between Senate Democrats and the White House on that idea.
A White House official told Fox News Digital, “President Trump has been consistent — he wants the government to remain open, and the Administration has been working with both parties to ensure the American people don’t have to endure another shutdown.”
“A shutdown would risk disaster response funding and more vital resources for the American people,” the official added.
Any plan B faces hurdles. The House is out until next week, and any change to the six-bill package would require approval from the lower chamber. The same applies to any CR for DHS.
Schumer placed the responsibility for a potential shutdown squarely on Thune. “Well, let me tell you first, if funding lapses, it’s all because of Leader Thune,” Schumer said. “It’s on his back.”
House Republicans have already shown little interest in backing a modified package. Many are wary of a CR, fearing it could be used to fund immigration operations with minimal oversight.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
