The Senate remained logjammed Thursday over an effort to fast-track a bipartisan $1.7 trillion government funding package to avoid a midnight Friday shutdown amid Sen. Mike Lee’s demand for an amendment vote to preserve the Title 42 border policy.
The Utah Republican wants his amendment to pass by simple majority, rather than 60 votes. It would slash Department of Homeland Security funding unless the Biden administration reinstates the Trump-era rule that has allowed millions of asylum seekers to be turned away at the border amid the pandemic.
Senate Democrats are unwilling to make the accommodation for fear it may succeed, which would likely tank the bill in the Democrat-led House.