Senate Fails to Advance DHS Funding Amid Partisan Divide Over Immigration Enforcement

By Kaia Hubbard | CBS News

Washington — The Senate failed to advance a measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday, 11 days into a partial government shutdown with no apparent end in sight. 

In a 50 to 45 vote, the measure fell short of the 60-vote threshold needed to move forward. The vote marked a second attempt to advance the measure and came after lawmakers returned to Washington following a weeklong recess without a deal to reform federal immigration agencies. 

Congress’ failure to reach an agreement on how to fund DHS prompted a funding lapse for the department, which also oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Transportation Security Administration and the Coast Guard. The major sticking point has been over Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Democrats have pledged to withhold funds unless they are reined in. 

Congressional leaders had appeared hopeful that negotiators could reach a deal while lawmakers were away on recess. The two sides have been trading proposals in recent days, with the latest counteroffer coming from Democrats last week. But a White House official said after receiving the offer that the parties remained far apart.

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