With a Jan. 31 deadline looming, Washington is again staring down a government shutdown. Senate Democrats are refusing to move forward on funding bills that include DHS and ICE, prompting Republicans to consider ending the filibuster. House Republicans are preparing a counterpunch by forcing a vote on the SAVE Act as part of any reopening deal.
Shutdown odds near 80% as Democrats block DHS funding. GOP pressures Senate to nuke the filibuster and force a vote on the SAVE Act, tying voter ID rules to reopening the government. #GovernmentShutdown #Filibuster pic.twitter.com/mzOKwZv1Sd
— Matthew Brady (@mattbrady775) January 26, 2026
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces pressure from Republicans to eliminate the filibuster if Democrats block DHS funding and trigger a government shutdown.
- Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, say they will not advance appropriations if DHS/ICE funding is included.
- Betting markets show shutdown odds jumping to ~80% ahead of the Jan. 31 deadline.
- Republicans hold a 53–47 Senate majority but lack the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.
- House Republicans are preparing to reattach provisions if bills return from the Senate.
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna says Republicans will tie the SAVE Act to must-pass rules, preventing Senate Democrats from stripping it.
- The SAVE Act would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote.
- Strategy would force Democrats to vote on the SAVE Act to reopen the government after any shutdown.
