US Senate blocks budget bill as pressure measure for changes at Department of Homeland Security after killing of two civilians
The United States Senate rejected on Thursday, January 29, a federal budget project, in a move aimed at putting pressure on the administration to accept changes within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), after the incident in which two civilians were killed during an operation by ICE agents in Minneapolis, reports EFE.
All Democratic senators, along with seven Republicans, voted against the project, which needed 60 votes to be adopted, according to the EFE agency, quoted by Agerpres.
The decision brings the US closer to another partial shutdown of the federal government, which would affect major institutions such as the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The budget impasse comes amid negotiations between Senate leaders and the White House for a separate funding package dedicated to DHS. It would include reforms such as banning the use of hoods by ICE agents and mandating the wearing of body cameras during operations.
Trump: “I think Democrats don't want a shutdown either, so we're going to work in a bipartisan way to avoid that”
The Senate vote came shortly after President Donald Trump said it was “almost” of a deal with the Democrats and that they don't expect another government shutdown.
“I think the Democrats don't want a shutdown either, so we're going to work in a bipartisan way to avoid that. Hopefully there won't be a government shutdown. We're working on that right now“, explained American President Donald Trump at the cabinet meeting held on Thursday at the White House.
The US is facing the prospect of a government shutdown after the longest shutdown in its history, which lasted 43 days between October 1 and November 12, 2025.
