Up First from NPR Senate Funding Deal, Border Czar Homan In Minnesota, Georgia Election Ballots Seized
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Jan 30, 2026 
Stephen Fowler, an Atlanta reporter on Georgia elections, covers the FBI seizure of Fulton County ballots and legal questions. Sergio Martinez Beltran reports from Minneapolis on federal immigration raids, protests, and community impacts. Jimena Bastillo explains the short-term Senate funding deal and the fight over Department of Homeland Security funding. Multiple fast-moving stories unpack national political and legal tensions.
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Short Funding Deal Leaves Shutdown Likely
- Senate leaders cut a deal to fund most agencies while carving out Homeland Security for two more weeks of negotiation.
- The short House recess makes a brief partial shutdown all but inevitable before the package can be returned and approved.
Democrats Push Oversight Reforms At DHS
- Democrats want limits on administrative warrants, independent investigations, and visible ID/body cameras for immigration agents.
- Those demands aim to curb aggressive enforcement tactics after fatal incidents involving federal agents.
Fatal Incident Shifts Some GOP Thinking
- Republican skepticism shifted after the killing of Alex Padilla [sic — Alex Preddy referenced], prompting some GOP senators to call for hearings and investigations.
- That shift created potential bipartisan openings to negotiate ICE policy changes.