John Fetterman

Rule Changes

Broke with Democratic caucus on funding vote

The Department of Homeland Security partial shutdown has entered its fourth week as of March 9, 2026, with no resolution in sight despite escalating national security pressures. On March 5, President Trump fired DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to replace her, a move some Democrats suggested could ease negotiations but which has not yet broken the legislative deadlock. The standoff continues over Democratic demands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement reforms following the January deaths of two U.S. citizens—Renée Good and Alex Pretti—shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. Most of DHS's 272,000 employees continue working without pay, while TSA screeners face mounting hardship as the shutdown coincides with spring break travel season and heightened terrorism threats following U.S. military strikes against Iran that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Updated Mar 9

Rule Changes

Sole Democratic vote against the war powers resolution

The War Powers Resolution has been on the books for 53 years, designed to prevent a president waging a major war without Congress voting to authorize it. On March 5, with American troops engaged in combat against Iran and at least six service members dead, the Senate voted 47-53 to reject a resolution requiring presidential approval from Congress before continuing military operations, followed hours later by the House rejecting its parallel measure H. Con. Res. 38.

Updated Mar 6

Rule Changes

Only Democrat planning to vote for spending package

A brief three-day partial government shutdown ended February 3 when the House passed the Senate's split funding package 217-214 and President Trump signed it into law, providing full-year appropriations for five agencies through September while extending Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding via a two-week continuing resolution through February 13. The shutdown stemmed from Senate Democrats blocking a $1.2 trillion spending package on January 29 after two fatal shootings by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis within three weeks, prompting President Trump and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to negotiate the funding split.

Updated Feb 5