Democrats say they’ve reached agreement to avert shutdown
Senate Democrats said Thursday they have struck an agreement to move forward with a package of bills to avert a partial government shutdown.
The agreement will see theDepartment of Homeland Security funding billseparated from a package of five other bills. Programs funded by the five-bill package will be funded until the end of September. DHS will be funded for two additional weeks to allow lawmakers to negotiate on other provisions in the package.
Senate Democrats had been in negotiations with the White House over DHS funding and wanted it removed from the other funding bills so that changes to the DHS bill aimed at reining in DHS can be made without affecting the other agencies that still need to be funded.
The Senate will still need to vote on the bill before funding runs out at the end of the week.
It is likely that even if the Senate passes the bills, there will still be a short partial shutdown -- the bills would need to go back to the House for consideration. It seems unlikely the House, which is in recess until Monday, could pass any of these bills before Friday night's funding deadline.
House Speaker Mike Johnson told ABC News' Selina Wang Thursday that bringing the House back before Monday "may not be possible."
"So, we have got some logistical challenges, but we'll do it as quickly as we can and get everybody back," Johnson said at the premiere of the "Melania" premiere."And if there is a short-term shutdown, I think we'll get it reopened quickly."
Asked if he is on board with the deal struck by Democrats in the Senate, Johnson said he had not yet seen details of the bill. But when asked if he supports Democrats’ demands to reign in federal agents -- including prohibiting face masks and requiring body cameras -- Johnson said "No."
Democrats called to separate the DHS funding following the deaths ofRenee Good, a mother of three who was fatally shot by an immigration enforcement officer in Minneapolis earlier this month, and became more urgent after the death ofAlex Pretti,an ICU nurse, who was killed in a shooting involving federal law enforcement over the weekend.
After Democratic urging, a critical mass of Republicans seemed prepared Thursday afternoon to support an agreement.
The Senate could start taking votes later Thursday. It's not yet clear whether amendment votes will be needed.
Earlier Thursday, Senate Democrats voted unanimously to block the package of six funding bills, with it failing to advance by a vote of 45-55. It would have needed at least 60 votes to proceed. Multiple Republicans also cast votes against the package.
Coming into the negotiations, Senate Democrats laid out a list of additional demands including: ending roving patrols, ensuring federal agents are held to the same use of force policies that apply to state and local law enforcement, preventing agents from wearing masks and requiring body cameras.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump struck an optimistic tone about averting a shutdown.
"Hopefullywewon'thave ashutdown andwe'reworking on that right now.I thinkwe'regettingclose," Trump said during his Cabinet meeting."The Democrats, Idon'tbelieve want to see it either, sowe'llwork in a very bipartisan way."
