Senate blocks DHS funding bill for third time as Democrats demand ICE reforms
The Senate voted 51-45 on a cloture motion to proceed to H.R. 7744, the DHS Appropriations Act — falling short of the 60-vote threshold needed to advance. This was the third time the bill failed in the Senate. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) was the only Democrat to vote yes. Democrats are holding firm on demands for ICE reforms including body cameras, identification requirements, a ban on masks during operations, and judicial warrants for arrests on private property.
Senate blocks Iran War Powers Resolution from reaching a floor vote
The Senate voted 47-53 to reject a War Powers Resolution ithat would have required the president to obtain congressional authorization before continuing military operations against Iran. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican to vote yes; Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) was the only Democrat to vote no.
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 (Senate Cloture Vote)
This was a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. After federal immigration agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, Democrats demanded reforms—including body cameras, a ban on agents concealing their identities with masks, and judicial warrants for arrests. Republicans refused. The bill could not get the 60 votes required to end debate, triggering a shutdown at midnight on February 14.
Continuing Appropriations Act
Congress passed H.R. 5371 to end the longest government shutdown in US history (43 days). The bill funds most federal agencies through January 30, 2026, including DHS and ICE operations. Senate Democrats had demanded ACA subsidy extensions, but seven Democrats and one independent sided with the President. Six House Democrats sided with the President.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act
H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21). President Trump's signature budget reconciliation bill, extending his 2017 tax cuts while cutting nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and imposing new work requirements for food stamps. The bill provides $75 billion in supplemental funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement through FY2029—nearly tripling ICE's annual budget—including $45 billion for detention capacity expansion to 100,000 beds and $29.9 billion for enforcement operations and 10,000 new officers. The Senate passed the bill 51-50 on July 1, 2025, with Vice President Vance casting the tie-breaking vote after three Republicans—Susan Collins (ME), Rand Paul (KY), and Thom Tillis (NC)—joined all Democrats in opposition. The House concurred 218-214 on July 3, with Republicans Thomas Massie (KY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) voting Nay. Signed into law July 4, 2025.
Senate rejects Iran War Powers Resolution
The Senate voted 47-53 to reject a motion to discharge Sen. Tim Kaine’s war powers resolution (S.J.Res. 59) from the Foreign Relations Committee, blocking it from reaching a floor vote. The resolution would have required congressional authorization for further military action against Iran not in self-defense. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican to vote yes; Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) was the only Democrat to vote no.
Confirmation of Charles Kushner as Ambassador to France
The Senate confirmed Charles Kushner as U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco by a 51-45 vote. Kushner pleaded guilty in 2005 to 18 federal counts including tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions, and witness tampering after hiring a prostitute to entrap his brother-in-law who was cooperating with federal investigators. He served 14 months in prison before receiving a pardon from President Trump in December 2020. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) was the only Democrat to vote yes; Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was the only Republican to vote no.
Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025
This bill kept the federal government funded through September 2025, freezing spending at 2024 levels while cutting $13 billion from non-military programs. Senate Democrats faced a painful choice: block the bill and risk a shutdown that would give President Trump and DOGE free rein to decide which agencies stay open, or let it pass with no oversight concessions. The outcome was decided in the Senate cloture vote, where ten Democrats broke the filibuster 62-38. After that, the final vote only needed a simple majority. The House passed 217-213; the Senate passed 54-46.
Laken Riley Act
The first law signed in President Trump's second term, the Laken Riley Act requires mandatory detention of undocumented immigrants who are arrested for, charged with, or admit to committing theft, burglary, larceny, shoplifting, assault on a law enforcement officer, or any crime resulting in death or serious bodily injury. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security over immigration enforcement failures. The Senate passed it 64–35 with 12 Democrats crossing over; the House passed it 263–156 with 46 Democrats voting yes.
Senate confirms Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary in 51-50 vote with VP Vance breaking tie
The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense 51-50, with Vice President Vance casting the tiebreaking vote. All 50 Democrats and Independents voted against. Three Republicans (Collins, McConnell, and Murkowski) also voted no, forcing the tiebreaker.