The Senate is trying to avoid a third government shutdown under the president Donald Trump, Lawmakers were cautiously optimistic about reaching a deal after negotiations appeared to be in trouble.

Sources familiar with the negotiations told Fox News Digital that Senate Republicans received a “partisan wish list” from Senate Democrats over the weekend. The White House has offered its own counterproposal, but as of Monday evening, several lawmakers didn’t know what the package contained.

Some, including the Senate Majority Leader John ThuneRepublican senators declined to disclose, but noted that congressional Democrats and the White House were “exchanging documents” and said the back-and-forth was a good sign for negotiations moving forward.

But lawmakers are not out of the woods yet, a reality Thune has warned about since Senate Democrats asked for a two-week extension of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Congress has until Friday to avert a government shutdown, leaving little time to move short-term patches from one side of the building to the other.

Republicans warn Democrats’ frozen reform push to cut border enforcement funding

Split image shows Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (left) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (right). Currently, Senate Republicans and Democrats are divided over how to prevent a partial shutdown that would only affect the Department of Homeland Security. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Republicans are considering another short-term extension, a continuing resolution (CR), to avoid a partial shutdown. Thune said whether Democrats will sign the deal depends on how background negotiations go, but he suggested that so far, things are moving toward a resolution.

“I think, based on what I know of the discussions so far, I think there is, but we’ll know more when the proposal comes back,” Thune said. “Give us a chance to evaluate.”

Thune later said he planned to prepare for another CR on Tuesday, but noted that the length “has to be negotiated. But let’s see what happens the next day and then we’ll go from there.”

The Democratic Party’s primary goal is to contain Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), After Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good were shot to death.

The proposals they submitted include items that would go too far for Republicans, including requiring ICE agents to obtain a judicial warrant, remove their masks and have identification ready — something some Republicans warn would lead to more agents being doxxed or when a person’s private information, such as their address, is made public.

senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, New York Democrats warned that “time is running out” for Republicans to respond.

Shutdown averted for now, but Senate warns DHS battle could spark another within days

Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt speaks with reporters after the weekly Senate Republican Caucus policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., January 14, 2025 (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“We’ve sent you our recommendations, and they’re very reasonable,” Schumer said on the Senate floor. “I hope our colleagues on the other side, many of them, at least in the Senate, recognize that things need to change and show that they’re ready to act in a meaningful way.”

Before Democrats finally submitted their version of the legislation on Saturday, Republicans publicly questioned whether they really wanted to engage in serious negotiations. That changed over the weekend.

A White House official told Fox News, “President Trump’s position remains consistent that he wants the government open, and the administration has been working with both parties to ensure that the American people do not have to endure another prolonged, senseless and harmful government shutdown.”

Meanwhile, the scope and scale of a possible third shutdown would be limited to the Department of Homeland Security, but would really only impact FEMA, the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard and other priorities under the agency’s umbrella. That’s because ICE and immigration operations are flooded with billions of dollars from Trump’s “big and beautiful bill.”

“I think it would be a huge mistake for the Democrats to say that the safety of Americans is not top priority, and I certainly hope they continue to act in good faith,” the senator said. Katie Britt, said the Alabama Republican and chairman of the Homeland Security Spending Panel.

“Because you do realize that ICE and (Customs and Border Patrol) are going to continue to be funded,” she continued.

Schumer, Jeffries mend rift, present united front on DHS reform as deadline approaches

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., believes the list of demands put forward by Senate Democrats is reasonable and hopes Republicans will take the negotiations seriously. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images)

Things are about to get complicated quickly in the upper chamber, too. Lawmakers will leave Washington, D.C., on Thursday for a weeklong recess, with many heading overseas to attend the Munich Security Conference.

The campaign starts on the day of the deadline and runs through the weekend. Thune warned that he was likely to cancel the upcoming recess, especially since there has been little progress in averting a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

Still, Senate Democrats believe the ball is in Republicans’ court and are waiting for Republican action.

Click here to download the Fox News app

“I mean, I think they’re very reasonable,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Group, explain.

“I mean, we didn’t ask for the moon,” he continued. “We’re demanding targeted but impactful changes in the way ICE terrorizes American cities. So obviously we’re willing to negotiate.”