Senate blocks massive funding bill, with critical talks underway to avoid government shutdown

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN Politics

PUBLISHED Jan 29, 2026, 12:22 PM ET


Bipartisan senators blocked a massive spending bill Thursday, as eleventh-hour talks continue to avoid a costly partial government shutdown that looms at the week’s end.

All Democrats, who are pushing to force changes to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies in the wake of Alex Pretti’s fatal encounter with federal agents in Minneapolis, voted not to advance the six-bill funding package.

Instead, they are demanding that Republicans and the White House agree to separate funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which houses ICE, from the rest of the package so it can be renegotiated.

Seven conservatives joined Democrats in keeping the package from moving forward in a 45-55 vote. Senate Majority Leader John Thune changed his vote to “no,” to be able to bring the package up for a later vote.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/29/politics/senate-funding-bill-vote-government-shutdown-ice

[underpants]

1. Good.

[bluestarone]

2. KICK

for JUSTICE!

[riversedge]

3. BREAKING: The Senate blocked the House-approved 6-bill spending package 45-55 after it included extended DHS funding thr

BREAKING: The Senate blocked the House-approved 6-bill spending package 45–55 after it included extended DHS funding through Sept. 30 with no meaningful reforms.

The bill failed to reach the 60 votes needed.

A bipartisan group—including all Democrats and 7 Republicans—voted No rather than hand DHS a blank check.

Talks continue as a shutdown looms at midnight Friday.

Link to tweet

?s=20

[Fil1957]

4. Just heard ICE is leaving Maine. We may see more ICE retreats in the coming days because of the current budget impasse.

I hope Democratic politicians are not fooled by this ruse, because if they agree to fund ICE with or without "reforms", these thugs will be back on our streets in more places and in bigger numbers than ever before.

The Democratic leadership must understand that no compromise can be made on this issue, or we lose our democracy and our country.

[modrepub]

7. It's Republican Votes

Holding this up. If it’s like every other time, Trump pouts and threatens then Republicans fall back in line.

Just a temporary set back.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. No - they need 60 votes for "cloture" (to end the non-talking filibuster) to move it forward

and with 53 (R)s and 47 (D)s/(I)s (who caucus with (D)s), that means they need 7 Democrats/Indies to vote for moving it to the debate and final passage.

[littlemissmartypants]

11. HEAR!!! HEAR!!!

I hope Democratic politicians are not fooled by this ruse, because if they agree to fund ICE with or without "reforms", these thugs will be back on our streets in more places and in bigger numbers than ever before.

The Democratic leadership must understand that no compromise can be made on this issue, or we lose our democracy and our country.

[dflprincess]

15. I'll believe they left when it actually happens

Don't take their word for it.

[turbinetree]

5. Anyone and I mean anyone that votes for this shit has blood literally on their hands.........

and the next town hall they have they should be reminded of it ...................

[Akakoji]

18. Why wait for a town hall?

Make them hear it now.

[turbinetree]

19. I was trying really hard to be nice...................but that door closed under Nixon..........

[pecosbob]

6. ACA subsidies forgotten in light of the latest outrages...they've successfully moved the goalposts once again.

[Moostache]

8. Notice how they also buried the Epstein Files release...again?

This is Trump 101 through and through. The sad thing is he actually IS allowing the shooting of people on our streets to cover his own scandals knowing that the useless media will get distracted by anything he vomits out.

Disgraceful.

[progressoid]

9. "massive spending bill"

I thought the GOP was all about spending cuts?

Hmmmm...

[JustAnotherGen]

10. Good

Shut it down.

[mountain grammy]

13. ABOLISH DHS!!!!

never should have existed in the first place.. fuck you GW Bush.. no wonder you're hiding.

[Magoo48]

14. Yup

[pfitz59]

16. They should block it over the Epstein Files

Demand their release NOW. Forget the 'redacting'. Time's up!

[Javaman]

17. don't you all worry, there will always be a few dems that will make sure this passes...

[Bev54]

20. I am not understanding why we are cheering this on, it certainly isn't because they

agree with the democrats when the far right republicans like Tuberville and Lee are siding with dems but the likes of Murkowski and Collins aren't.

It buys some time but I sure as hell don't trust any of these people, my concern they will give something to convince some dems to vote with them to get it passed. I guess at this point I don't even trust all the dems after some of the stupid votes lately.

[BumRushDaShow]

21. They don't just need "some Democrats". They need 7 of them to move forward

I.e., like the 7 who caved to bring us the current C.R. that expires after Friday.

I.e., if ALL 53 (R)s vote for cloture, then they will STILL be short 7 votes for the 60 needed to move the process to the next step of a debate and final vote.

It's only the "final vote" that is a simple majority and they can't get there until they get past the cloture step.