The Senate reached a deal Thursday night to fund the Department of Homeland Security for just two weeks as lawmakers raced to avoid a partial government shutdown, but they left without voting to advance it. Democrats say the agreement marks progress in the latest political fight gripping Washington over funding for ICE.

A government shutdown appears increasingly likely as funding expires at midnight Friday, with House Speaker Mike Johnson telling reporters the House will not return to Washington until Monday. This means there will be at least a short-term government shutdown through the weekend.

RELATED STORY | Democrats lay out demands for ICE as government funding impasse enters final hours

The Senate is expected to return to the Capitol Friday evening to vote on five of the six remaining annual government funding bills, along with the two-week extension for DHS funding.

Democrats push for ICE reforms

Democrats have made clear since last weekend's shooting of Alex Pretty in Minnesota that they want major changes to the Department of Homeland Security, specifically to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Their proposals include banning masks for agents, requiring body cameras and identification, and ending some roving patrols seen throughout mostly Democrat-run cities like Minneapolis.

"I wish we'd have seen movement from our Republican friends beforehand," said Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat. "We knew this was going to be an enormous issue after the activity over the last few weeks in Minneapolis, particularly after the second killing. Let's get this done, have a path towards reforms and move forward."

Republican support uncertain

While President Donald Trump reached the agreement with Senate Democrats to give them two weeks for broader discussions, it's unclear whether many Republicans support the proposed changes to ICE and DHS.

However, Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, expressed openness to some reforms.

RELATED STORY | Democratic lawmakers dig in against bill to fund ICE as deadline for government funding looms

"I think Democrats are wanting some reforms that make sense to me," Graham said. "Body cameras, making ICE more like other agencies. But that's the Band-Aid. I'm willing to entertain some reforms to make sure that we rein in ICE appropriately and make it more professional."

Noem impeachment threat

Three-quarters of House Democrats have signed articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

"We intend to proceed with impeachment proceedings if Kristi Noem is not fired," Jeffries said. "She's got to go. We are dead serious. She needs to be put on ice permanently."

However, Democrats indicated that Noem's removal alone would not satisfy their demands, as they worry about potential replacements. No Republican House members have indicated they would support impeachment proceedings.

The major question remains whether the Trump administration will tell agencies to continue operations and pay employees during any brief funding lapse, or whether Americans will experience disruption from a partial government shutdown.

More Democrats in Congress now signal they will vote against a bill to fund DHS, increasing the risk of a partial government shutdown following the weekend killing of Alex Pretti, who was shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis.

Six bills must still pass in the Senate to avert the shutdown. Most now have bipartisan support but Democrats are increasingly opposed to one, dealing with funding for DHS.

The vast majority of Democrats in the Senate have said that they will not vote to pass that bill as it stands.

The bill includes an additional $20 million for body cameras for ICE and Customs and Border Protection officers, as well as mandatory de-escalation training for both agencies.

While the legislation included some compromises related to ICE and immigration enforcement funding, Democrats were unable to secure limits on how ICE could use certain funds. Those restrictions would have placed guardrails on the agencys use of force and enforcement operations.

Lawmakers have until Jan. 30 to approve funding to avoid a partial government shutdown.

RELATED STORY | Government shutdown risk grows as DHS funding stalls after fatal Minnesota shooting

Whats happening in Minnesota is appalling and unacceptable in any American city," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said. "Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE. I will vote no."

Meanwhile, some Republican senators have called for investigation into ICE and DHS conduct in Minnesota. Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) wrote on social media that he would spearhead a bipartisan effort "to demand real oversight and transparency" from DHS.

Saturdays shooting marked the second fatal shooting by immigration enforcement agents in the Minneapolis area this month. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged ICE to end its heightened enforcement activity in the region.

MORE ON IMMIGRATION | Trump says he had 'good' calls with Walz, Frey amid rising tensions in Minnesota

A partial government shutdown is increasingly likely following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old nurse by a Border Patrol officer, an incident that has hardened Democratic opposition to a Department of Homeland Security funding bill.

The Senate appears to lack the votes needed to pass the DHS funding package, which includes money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would oppose the bill after it passed the House. Because of the filibuster, Republicans would need at least seven Democratic votes to reach the 60 votes required for passage.

RELATED STORY | Federal agent fatally shoots VA nurse in Minneapolis while filming ICE activity

Senate Democrats are expected to meet in caucus Sunday to discuss next steps.

Whats happening in Minnesota is appalling and unacceptable in any American city," Schumer said. "Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE. I will vote no."

Lawmakers have until Jan. 30 to approve funding to avoid a partial government shutdown.

The bill includes an additional $20 million for body cameras for ICE and Customs and Border Protection officers, as well as mandatory de-escalation training for both agencies.

While the legislation included some compromises related to ICE and immigration enforcement funding, Democrats were unable to secure limits on how ICE could use certain funds. Those restrictions would have placed guardrails on the agencys use of force and enforcement operations.

Saturdays shooting marked the second fatal shooting by immigration enforcement agents in the Minneapolis area this month. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged ICE to end its heightened enforcement activity in the region.

DHS officials said the man who was shot, 37-year-old Alex Pretti, was committing an act of domestic terrorism by confronting agents who were attempting to detain a migrant while armed. Local officials said Pretti was legally permitted to carry a firearm, and videos taken by bystanders do not show him holding a weapon during the confrontation.

On Thursday, President Trump unveiled his Great Health Care Plan, which aims to lower the cost of health insurance for Americans on the Affordable Care Act.

At the center of the president's plan are health savings accounts for Americans so they can pay down the high cost of healthcare directly.

RELATED NEWS | Trump unveils health care plan that would pay Americans directly to buy coverage

But the president's proposal is separate from bipartisan negotiations on Capitol Hill.

Critically, it doesn't include any extension of expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies, which expired at the end of last year.

A White House official told Scripps News Group that the proposal "does not specifically address those bipartisan congressional negotiations that are going on."

Those talks are led in part by freshman Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio, who told reporters Thursday ahead of a Senate recess that talks have hit a snag.

"Here's where we're at. So we are in a little bit of a pothole. Democrats that we're talking to are, absolutely they are, in good faith. They absolutely want to get a deal done. They are absolutely willing to do an extension of reforms, but what I've seen in my year here is that unless the Democrat leader wants a deal to happen, it just will not happen," Sen. Moreno said.

The Senator placed the blame squarely on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has advocated with his fellow Congressional Democrats for a three-year extension of credits.

According to Sen. Moreno, bipartisan negotiations have zeroed in on a two-year plan, which would allow for an extension of the expanded expired tax credits, paired with a health savings account option, to put money directly in Americans' pockets in year two.

RELATED NEWS | Fewer Americans sign up for Affordable Care Act health insurance as costs spike

Since open enrollment ended for 2026 on January 15th, Sen. Moreno says an agreement would reopen open enrollment for Americans who get their coverage thru the ACA.

Healthcare is expected to be a major campaign issue in this year's midterm elections.

With negotiations stalled and campaigns ramping up, it's not clear if a bipartisan group of lawmakers will be able to deliver on a plan.

Meanwhile, millions of Americans are projected to lose their health insurance over the expired tax credits, and those who have renewed their plans are now paying significantly more for the same coverage.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., is calling for stricter standards for when federal immigration officers may use force, especially deadly force, with the introduction of the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act.

The bill focuses on multiple changes, including limiting the use of face masks by agents, notifying cities where operations will be taking place ahead of time, and limiting shooting at a moving vehicle where other reasonable options exist.

With a budget larger than the U.S. Marine Corps and massive operations in U.S. cities, ICE has to be held to a higher standard. Under this administration, weve seen ICE harass and use deadly force against American citizens with zero accountability, creating more chaos that makes communities less safe, Kelly told the Scripps News Group.

EXCLUSIVE: Arizona Senator Mark Kelly introduces bill putting limits on ICE force, maskingScripps News spoke exclusively with Kelly on this newly introduced bill. Watch the full interview in the player above.

RELATED STORY | Federal officer shoots person in leg after being attacked during Minneapolis arrest

The release of the bill comes after another ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis on Wednesday, the second shooting in a week. Protesters have continued to take to the streets following the shooting death of Renee Good on Jan. 7.

A similar version of the bill was introduced in November by a group of House Democratic lawmakers.

Senator Kelly's version builds on the House version, adding in requirements that govern the use of deadly force by the DOJ standard, a mandate that officers are trained to administer first aid, and prohibiting the agency from obstructing state or local investigations of excessive use of force by ICE agents.

Arizonans deserve immigration enforcement that is effective and follows the law," Kelly said.

Lawmakers are also adding language that says First Amendment activities are not enough for agents to believe their safety is at risk.

ICE protests took place across the country on Saturday. That included Kelly's home state of Arizona, where big crowds gathered in Tempe on a pedestrian bridge over the U.S. 60, and also outside of the ICE building in Phoenix.

RELATED STORY | Officer's cellphone video captures moments leading up to fatal ICE shooting

In a statement, Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., weighed in on the bill, saying, in part, that it would "bring much-needed accountability and restraint to stop Trumps under-trained goon squads from sowing chaos in our communities."

Gallego, who is co-leading the bill, has also been critical of the ICE actions in Minneapolis and has called for reform within ICE.

We in this office are going to do everything we can to hold them accountable, to stop their goonish natures, and hold them accountable, Gallego said during his first press conference of 2026.