The U.S. Senate reached a late-day agreement on Thursday, which would avert a broad shutdown of the federal government, by splitting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding measure away from the remaining five full-year appropriations bills. Under the deal, DHS would be funded through a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) at current levels until February 13.
This agreement was reached after a motion to advance the full six-bill package failed (45-55), with all Democrats and eight Republicans voting no. During negotiations, Democrats had pushed for a two-week CR, while Republicans sought a longer extension; the shorter timeframe ultimately prevailed. President Trump publicly endorsed the deal Thursday night and called on both parties to support it. Senate leaders circulated the agreement with rank-and-file members Thursday evening, in hopes of securing an agreement for unanimous consent. However, Senator Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) and others, put a “hold” on the bill (notification of intent to object to a unanimous consent request), which resulted in adjournment late Thursday night without a vote.
The five full-year appropriations bills cover Defense, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Labor, and Education and would fund roughly 96 percent of the federal government for the 2026 Fiscal Year (FY2026). If the Senate successfully advances the package, attention will shift to the House of Representatives, which is not expected to return to Washington, D.C. until Monday. This would result in a brief funding lapse, and uncertainty persists over how smoothly the bills will move through the House, as some Republicans are already signaling interest in making changes to the agreement.
For additional information, contact RCRC Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Mary-Ann Warmerdam.
Updated January 30, 2026, 6:30 a.m. Eastern Time