The Senate failed again to advance Department of Homeland Security funding Thursday, with Republicans invoking Iran tensions to pressure Democrats on immigration enforcement. The procedural vote fell short at 51-45, well below the 60 needed to proceed. The House had passed the measure 221-209 earlier in the day, but a bipartisan compromise remains elusive.

Democrats are blocking the bill until it includes new restraints on ICE and Border Patrol operations following the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by Border Patrol officers in Minneapolis. Republicans, led by Sen. John Barrasso, warned that Democrats would bear responsibility for future terrorist attacks, claiming "blood will be on their hands." The shutdown, which began February 14, has left many DHS employees missing paychecks.

The impasse centers on Democratic demands for operational changes including prohibiting ICE enforcement at sensitive locations, requiring warrants for home entries, and mandating body cameras. Republicans counter that the bill already includes $20 million for body cameras and de-escalation training. With 11 of 12 appropriations bills completed, the DHS funding remains the lone holdup as both sides trade offers but show little progress toward resolution.