The Senate blocked a six-bill appropriations package from moving forward Thursday ahead of a Friday government shutdown deadline, but members of both parties seemed optimistic that reaching a deal is still possible.
The terms of that deal, like splitting off Department of Homeland Security funding from the larger package and how long a funding patch for that department may last, are still unclear.
Democrats and several Republicans — including Sens. Mike Lee, Rand Paul, Rick Scott, Ted Budd, Ron Johnson, Ashley Moody and Tommy Tuberville — voted 45-55 to block the package. Senate Majority Leader John Thune flipped to vote against the bill so that he could procedurally bring up the legislation again. After a conference lunch on Thursday, some Republicans suggested a deal could still be finalized soon. Thune said after the vote that there “could be” additional votes Thursday night.