WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 28: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) talks with reporters with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) following the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. A partial federal government shutdown looms as Senate Democrats have threatened to hold up funding for the Department of Homeland Security after two U.S. citizens were murdered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Jenni FinkPeter Aitken

By Jenni Fink and Peter Aitken

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The Senate’s effort to avoid a partial government shutdown hit a snag on Thursday when a crucial procedural vote failed, 55-45, with seven Republicans joining Democrats to block the chamber from advancing a sweeping six‑bill funding package.

Newsweek reached out to Senate Majority Leader John Thune by email on Thursday afternoon for comment.

Why It Matters

The vote, widely expected to be tight, became the latest flashpoint in the escalating standoff over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and, specifically, funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

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Democrats have insisted they will not allow the package to proceed unless Republicans agree to significant reforms to ICE operations following two deadly federal enforcement encounters in Minneapolis this month.

The vote is necessary to avoid a government shutdown, with failure to pass the bill by January 30 triggering at least a partial shutdown, which would halt non-essential government services while some federal workers will be furloughed.

DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin previously said via email that while "politicians in the Senate play games with Americans’ safety, they are blocking vital DHS funding that keeps our country secure and its people safe—from TSA and FEMA to the US Coast Guard and Border Patrol."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune talks with reporters with Senator Shelley Moore Capito following the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Which Republicans Voted Against The Bill?

Despite being a GOP-led funding bill, there were seven members of the caucus that voted with Democrats. They were identified as:

Their opposition, combined with Democratic resistance, denied Republicans the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster and move the package forward.

Senate Majority Whip John Thune also voted against the bill but did it so he could bring up a motion to reconsider right away to create an opportunity for another vote.

Update 1/29/26, 2:25 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.

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