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The U.S. Senate is back in session with the clock ticking toward another potential government shutdown. Lawmakers have just days to act before funding expires, but sharp divisions over immigration enforcement have complicated negotiations. A deadly shooting in Minnesota has intensified Democratic opposition, pushing the shutdown threat closer to reality.
With a Jan. 31 shutdown deadline looming, the timing of today’s Senate vote has become the central question.
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The U.S. Senate returned to session at 10:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, with lawmakers under intense pressure to act. Without Senate approval of key spending bills by midnight Friday, Jan. 30, a partial government shutdown would begin early Saturday morning, Jan. 31.
At the center of the standoff is not just timing, but a widening political divide over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Senate Democrats have drawn a firm line against legislation that includes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, following the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota at the hands of federal officers, as per a report by North Jersey.
On Wednesday, speaking live from the Senate floor, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would vote “no” on any bill that funds ICE in the 2026 budget unless the agency is “reined in and overhauled.” Schumer accused President Donald Trump of taking “zero accountability” over the deaths and placed blame on both the White House and Kristi Noem, the secretary of Homeland Security.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune responded by calling for a full investigation into Pretti’s death, while also noting that “productive talks” between Republicans and Democrats were ongoing. Despite those discussions, Schumer has not backed away from the threat of blocking funding bills, keeping the possibility of a government shutdown firmly on the table, as per a report by North Jersey.
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A Senate vote is possible today, Thursday, Jan. 29, after lawmakers returned to session at 10:30 a.m. ET. Thune has said Senate Republicans plan to move forward this week with legislation aimed at preventing a partial government shutdown.
However, passing the bills will require Democratic support. Although Republicans control the Senate 53–47, 60 votes are needed to overcome a filibuster. Without Democratic backing, the legislation cannot advance, regardless of timing.
Schumer and Senate Democrats have made clear they will oppose any spending package that includes DHS funding tied to ICE and Border Patrol unless reforms are made. He reiterated on the Senate floor that no Democrats would vote for the DHS funding bill, which is part of the current spending package, until changes are agreed upon, as per a report by North Jersey.
What time is the next Senate vote expected?
While no exact hour has been confirmed, any Senate vote today would occur after the chamber reconvened at 10:30 a.m. ET. Thune has scheduled floor action with the intent of funding key federal departments and avoiding a shutdown.
Still, Democratic demands to strip DHS funding in exchange for their votes have made the outcome uncertain. With the shutdown deadline set for midnight Friday, Jan. 30, time is rapidly running out for a compromise.
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Why is ICE funding delaying the vote?
The funding fight intensified after the killing of Alex Pretti, a Minnesota man shot by border patrol agents. That death, along with the earlier killing of Renee Good, sparked outrage among Senate Democrats and fueled calls for changes to immigration enforcement.
Schumer has publicly blamed President Trump and Kristi Noem for the shootings and has linked the DHS funding fight directly to those deaths. As Senate Democrats move toward impeaching Noem, their opposition to ICE funding has only hardened, complicating negotiations aimed at keeping the government open, as per a report by North Jersey.
Although Trump has recently retreated from some immigration actions in Minnesota, that shift has not been enough to persuade Democrats to drop their resistance.
If the Senate fails to pass the spending bills by midnight Friday, Jan. 30, a partial government shutdown would begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Key federal departments, including the Pentagon, would be affected.
The vote under discussion is not for the full 2026 budget. Instead, lawmakers are considering six of the 12 annual spending bills for the current budget year. These include funding for DHS, Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, State, and Treasury.
How can the Senate vote be watched live?
Senate proceedings and votes can be watched live on the Senate’s official website. Live coverage is also available on C-SPAN through cable television and several streaming platforms, allowing viewers to follow developments in real time, as per a report by North Jersey.
The most recent shutdown was the longest in U.S. history, lasting from Oct. 1, 2025, to Nov. 12, 2025. That shutdown ended only after lawmakers passed temporary funding measures extending government operations through Jan. 30, 2026, the same deadline now driving today’s Senate action.
The Senate returned to session at 10:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 29.
Is today’s vote on the full 2026 budget?
No. The vote involves six spending bills for the current budget year.
With a Jan. 31 shutdown deadline looming, the timing of today’s Senate vote has become the central question.
ALSO READ: Taylor Swift's private texts leaked: How does she really feel about Blake Lively drama?
The U.S. Senate returned to session at 10:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, with lawmakers under intense pressure to act. Without Senate approval of key spending bills by midnight Friday, Jan. 30, a partial government shutdown would begin early Saturday morning, Jan. 31.
At the center of the standoff is not just timing, but a widening political divide over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Senate Democrats have drawn a firm line against legislation that includes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, following the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota at the hands of federal officers, as per a report by North Jersey.
On Wednesday, speaking live from the Senate floor, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would vote “no” on any bill that funds ICE in the 2026 budget unless the agency is “reined in and overhauled.” Schumer accused President Donald Trump of taking “zero accountability” over the deaths and placed blame on both the White House and Kristi Noem, the secretary of Homeland Security.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune responded by calling for a full investigation into Pretti’s death, while also noting that “productive talks” between Republicans and Democrats were ongoing. Despite those discussions, Schumer has not backed away from the threat of blocking funding bills, keeping the possibility of a government shutdown firmly on the table, as per a report by North Jersey.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Bruce Lee: 'Mistakes are always forgivable,…'—Inspiring quotes by the renowned martial artist
Does the Senate vote today on a shutdown deal?
A Senate vote is possible today, Thursday, Jan. 29, after lawmakers returned to session at 10:30 a.m. ET. Thune has said Senate Republicans plan to move forward this week with legislation aimed at preventing a partial government shutdown.
However, passing the bills will require Democratic support. Although Republicans control the Senate 53–47, 60 votes are needed to overcome a filibuster. Without Democratic backing, the legislation cannot advance, regardless of timing.
Schumer and Senate Democrats have made clear they will oppose any spending package that includes DHS funding tied to ICE and Border Patrol unless reforms are made. He reiterated on the Senate floor that no Democrats would vote for the DHS funding bill, which is part of the current spending package, until changes are agreed upon, as per a report by North Jersey.
What time is the next Senate vote expected?
While no exact hour has been confirmed, any Senate vote today would occur after the chamber reconvened at 10:30 a.m. ET. Thune has scheduled floor action with the intent of funding key federal departments and avoiding a shutdown.
Still, Democratic demands to strip DHS funding in exchange for their votes have made the outcome uncertain. With the shutdown deadline set for midnight Friday, Jan. 30, time is rapidly running out for a compromise.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Fyodor Dostoyevsky: 'The mystery of human existence lies not in…'—Inspiring quotes by one of history's greatest novelists
Why is ICE funding delaying the vote?
The funding fight intensified after the killing of Alex Pretti, a Minnesota man shot by border patrol agents. That death, along with the earlier killing of Renee Good, sparked outrage among Senate Democrats and fueled calls for changes to immigration enforcement.
Schumer has publicly blamed President Trump and Kristi Noem for the shootings and has linked the DHS funding fight directly to those deaths. As Senate Democrats move toward impeaching Noem, their opposition to ICE funding has only hardened, complicating negotiations aimed at keeping the government open, as per a report by North Jersey.
Although Trump has recently retreated from some immigration actions in Minnesota, that shift has not been enough to persuade Democrats to drop their resistance.
What happens if no vote passes by Friday?
If the Senate fails to pass the spending bills by midnight Friday, Jan. 30, a partial government shutdown would begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Key federal departments, including the Pentagon, would be affected.
The vote under discussion is not for the full 2026 budget. Instead, lawmakers are considering six of the 12 annual spending bills for the current budget year. These include funding for DHS, Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, State, and Treasury.
How can the Senate vote be watched live?
Senate proceedings and votes can be watched live on the Senate’s official website. Live coverage is also available on C-SPAN through cable television and several streaming platforms, allowing viewers to follow developments in real time, as per a report by North Jersey.
When was the last government shutdown?
The most recent shutdown was the longest in U.S. history, lasting from Oct. 1, 2025, to Nov. 12, 2025. That shutdown ended only after lawmakers passed temporary funding measures extending government operations through Jan. 30, 2026, the same deadline now driving today’s Senate action.
FAQs
What time did the Senate return today?The Senate returned to session at 10:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 29.
Is today’s vote on the full 2026 budget?
No. The vote involves six spending bills for the current budget year.
