US Senate Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer speaking at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Friday. The minority party’s blockade imperilled a push by Republicans for approval of larger package of legislation funding other departments, which needed to pass the Senate before the government’s spending authorisation expired on Friday. Besides the homeland security department, Congress had not yet fully passed appropriations for the departments of defence, education, labour, health and human services, transportation and housing and urban development. Trump has indicated that he would sign the spending package, blessed by his White House, when it reaches his desk. The broader funding package’s prospects in the Republican-controlled House remains unclear.

Source: The Irish Times January 31, 2026 12:17 UTC