Senate Republicans are hoping to move full steam ahead on Trump-backed voter ID legislation, but there’s one problem — the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is still shut down.

Though negotiations between Senate Democrats and the White House are still ongoing, albeit at a molasses-like pace, there is no clear sign that a deal will be struck before lawmakers return to Washington, D.C., next week.

Reopening the agency will be front and center in the Senate, meaning other priorities, like the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, will be sidelined.

MIKE LEE CALLS SCHUMER’S ‘JIM CROW 2.0’ ATTACK ON VOTER ID BILL ‘PARANOID FANTASY’

President Donald Trump argued that the current DHS shutdown was a “Democrat shutdown,” and that they feared the growing push for voter ID legislation in the Senate.  (Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who has led the charge in the Senate to build support around the SAVE America Act, hoped the bill would be on the floor as soon as the day after President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address next week.

But he acknowledged that ending the partial shutdown would likely take precedence.

“That’s the problem with taking a weeklong recess when they’ve shut down not just a department, but an entire department — and a particularly big department,” Lee said.

“That’s valuable time lost. As far as the objective of getting us to turn to this next week shortly after we get back, that seems less possible in light of the fact that that happened,” he continued.

THUNE GUARANTEES VOTER ID BILL TO HIT THE SENATE DESPITE SCHUMER, DEM OPPOSITION: ‘WE WILL HAVE A VOTE’

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., supports voter ID laws but acknowledged that there aren’t the votes in the Senate to nuke the filibuster to pass it. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., guaranteed that the voter ID legislation would get a vote. It’s just a matter of when, given the uncertainty surrounding DHS.

“My job is to try and do the best to ensure that we’re making the most, doing, getting the most we can out of the opportunity we have here,” Thune told Fox News Digital.

The SAVE America Act is riding high on a fresh wave of momentum in the Senate, with 50 Republicans, including Thune, backing it. That means it can move through at least one key procedural hurdle.

“If we’re still in a shutdown, that obviously will have some bearing on what we decide, how we decide to schedule the floor,” he continued.

The most valuable asset in the upper chamber is floor time, given the number of procedural hoops any legislation or nominee has to jump through to get passed or confirmed.

DHS SHUTDOWN DRAGS INTO 4TH DAY AS SENATE DEMOCRATS BLOCK FUNDING OVER ICE REFORMS

Sen. Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah and chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, during a confirmation hearing in Washington, Jan. 16, 2025.  (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

And one of the first actions lawmakers will take when they return — unless a deal is struck between now and Monday — is to again vote on a full-year DHS funding bill, according to the current floor schedule in the upper chamber.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and nearly every Senate Democrat blocked that bill and a short-term funding extension before lawmakers left town last week.

Trump told reporters earlier this week that the current DHS closure was a “Democrat shutdown, Republicans have nothing to do with it.”

He also suggested that Democrats were in their shutdown posture because, among other issues, they rejected voter ID and proof of citizenship to vote. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“If you have voter ID, if you have proof of citizenship, they could never get elected, and they know that,” Trump said. 

There are other issues in the Senate that need attention, too, Thune noted. Confirming more of Trump’s judicial nominees and putting a raft of bipartisan housing legislation that passed through the House on the floor are top of mind for the top Senate Republican.

Still, Lee was hopeful that once the DHS situation was resolved, the SAVE America Act would be next in line.

“What I hope we’ll do is get back, turn — perhaps immediately — to DHS funding and make [Democrats] continue to vote, continue to object to unanimous consent requests to pass some kind of funding mechanism, and keep making them vote over and over again until we get something like that passed,” Lee said. “And then as soon thereafter as possible, turn to SAVE America.”

Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 22:46 IST

India vs Netherlands Highlights: India entered the Super 8 by defeating Netherlands and entering the Super 8. Team India will face South Africa in its first match of Super 8 on 22nd. This is India’s fourth consecutive victory in this World Cup. Shivam Dubey scored 66 runs on 31 balls while Pandya played an inning of 30 runs on 21 balls. After doing wonders in batting, Dubey also made a splash in bowling. He took 2 wickets for 35 runs in 3 overs.

Team India reached Super 8 while remaining invincible.

A CNN panel erupted into argument Tuesday night over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s performance at the Munich Security Conference.

“Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary didn’t hold back in his criticism of the congresswoman’s performance, eventually calling the rest of the panel “nuts” to close out the episode.

Ocasio-Cortez’s missteps on the world stage have been widely criticized after she claimed Venezuela was “below the equator” and appeared to struggle with a question about Taiwan.

RUBIO SHINES ON GLOBAL STAGE WHILE AOC, WHITMER, AND NEWSOM TAKE HEAT

Kevin O’Leary appeared alongside “The View” co-host Ana Navarro and journalist Cari Champion on CNN’s “NewsNight” panel Tuesday. (CNN “NewsNight”)

 The Washington Post editorial board wrote she seemed “out of depth.”

“I’m sorry, it’s not a partisan issue. She was terrible. Get over it!” O’Leary said Tuesday on CNN’s “NewsNight.”

His blunt comments were met with opposition from other members of the panel, including “The View” host Ana Navarro, podcast host Leigh McGowan and journalist Cari Champion.

AOC’S MUNICH ‘STUMBLES’ DRAW CRITICISM FROM LIBERAL CRITICS ADMITTING COMMENTS WERE ‘NOT GREAT’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez takes part in the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 13. (Marijan Murat/picture alliance via Getty Images)

They defended AOC’s performance as “not terrible,” while one panelist admitted she was only “terrible for 20 seconds.” O’Leary rejected that characterization, asking the group if they were “kidding.”

Champion then labeled O’Leary “condescending,” before CNN host Abby Phillip tried to cut him off.

“The reality is, Kevin, is that she was taking a beat, and yes, she wasn’t great for less than 20 seconds, if you ask me,” Champion said.

“I thought she was doing something that the President of the United States rarely does and that’s think before she speaks,” she added.

CNN RATINGS DOWN BIGLY FROM 2017 ‘TRUMP BUMP’ THROUGH 2025 AMID CHANGING MEDIA LANDSCAPE

Kevin O’Leary looks on before President Donald Trump speaks about “Trump Accounts” at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 28.

The arguments resumed later in the episode, when O’Leary used his final word to tell the panel they’re “all nuts.”

Navarro and O’Leary continued to argue until Phillip eventually told O’Leary, “If you don’t have anything to say, just say that. I won’t come to you next time.”

Ocasio-Cortez was joined in Munich by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Arizona Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman criticized her comments questioning U.S. support for Israel and accusing the Jewish state of committing “genocide.”

As part of the campaign against illegal construction and encroachment in Greater Noida, the Greater Noida Authority took major action and freed about 30 thousand square meters of land of notified and acquired village Bhanauta from encroachment. During this action, illegally constructed constructions were demolished with bulldozers. The estimated value of the freed land is estimated to be around Rs 60 crore.

According to the authority officials, out of the 30 thousand square meter land on which illegal construction was done, about 8000 square meter land was the land acquired and duly occupied by the authority. Compensation for this land had already been given to the concerned land owners. Despite this, some colonizers were trying to sell the said land by calling it an unauthorized Khasra number. This was not only a violation of rules, but was also like putting the common public at risk by misleading their hard-earned money.

peaceful action

Authority CEO N.G. On the instructions of Ravi Kumar, the joint team of Bhulekh Department and Project Department (Work Circle-2) reached the spot and took this action. During this time, security personnel of the authority were also present, due to which the entire operation could be completed peacefully.

Construction without permission will be considered illegal

Authority’s ACEO Sumit Yadav has given a clear warning that any kind of construction in the notified area without permission or without getting the map approved will be considered illegal and strict legal action will be taken in such cases. He appealed to the general public that Greater Noida Before purchasing land or plot anywhere in India, please contact the land records department of the authority and get complete information about its validity. Do not risk your hard-earned money by investing in illegal colonies.

Information General Manager Project A.K. Singh told that the colonizers were preparing for plotting by building a boundary wall on the land of Khasra numbers 238 and 239. Work Circle-2 Senior Manager Narottam Singh, Manager Rohit Gupta and a team of other officers reached the spot and got the illegal construction removed.

Action stirs up illegal colonizers

Officials have also warned of strict legal action against those who attempt illegal construction again. This action of the authority has created a stir among the illegal colonizers, while a clear message has been sent to the common citizens that any activity against the rules will not be tolerated.

A former council employee who stole nearly £900,000 from the accounts of vulnerable benefit claimants to fund a luxury lifestyle has been jailed.

Richard Shaw, 46, transferred the money to his own bank accounts while working for Bolton Council’s financial protection team between 2015 and 2023.

He was jailed on Wednesday for four years and eight months.

In his role, he managed state benefits on behalf of service workers who were unable to manage their own finances and had no one else to assist them.

But investigations in 2023 revealed several bank transfers, totalling £893,296, to nine personal accounts held in his name.

Two BMW cars worth nearly £120,000 and other high-value items, including computers and bikes, were seized during a warrant at Shaw’s home in Harrier Close, Bolton, when he was arrested on suspicion of fraud by abuse of position and money laundering.

It was established during the investigation that he spent £100,000 buying a holiday lodge in Ribble Valley, Lancashire, and almost £18,000 on garden improvements.

Read more:
Masseuse charged with multiple sexual offences
Van driver guilty over fatal crash on smart motorway

There were also more than £53,000 in payments to different women with references including “treat”, “allowance”, “nice” and “ass” which totalled hundreds of pounds every week, the court heard.

He was sacked for gross misconduct in March 2023, when the council identified and reported the possible fraud to Greater Manchester Police.

Shaw pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of fraud by abuse of position.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said there would be a proceeds of crime hearing to reclaim the rest of the money to reimburse the council.

‘Cases like these are exceptionally rare’

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Bolton Council has robust measures in place to detect, prevent and deter corruption and this crime was first uncovered via our own internal safeguards.

“We have worked closely with Greater Manchester Police to build the case that has resulted in this sentence which reflects the gravity and impact of the crime committed.

“Cases like this are exceptionally rare and the actions of one person do not reflect a wider workforce that is conscientious, diligent, and committed to public service.

“Any identified financial losses to individuals as a result of this fraud have been refunded by the council, and benefit losses rectified.”

As the possibility of U.S. military action against Iran looms, former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene asserted in a post on X that Americans do not want the U.S. to wage war against the Islamic Republic.

“Americans do not want to go to war with Iran!!!” Greene exclaimed in the post.

“They want to be able to afford their lives and get ahead. They want to be happy and enjoy life. They want their government to put elite pedos in jail. And they voted for NO MORE FOREIGN WARS AND NO MORE REGIME CHANGE,” she added.

IRAN SIGNALS NUCLEAR PROGRESS IN GENEVA AS TRUMP CALLS FOR FULL DISMANTLEMENT

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., talks with reporters after a meeting of the House Republican Conference at the Capitol Hill Club on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.

Greene, who had previously been a longtime, staunch supporter of President Donald Trump’s, had a major falling out with the president last year and left office early last month in the middle of her House term.

TRUMP MAKES ENDORSEMENT IN CONTEST TO FILL HOUSE SEAT VACATED BY EX-ALLY MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addresses the public on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, according to Iranian state television in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 9, 2026. (Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Trump has been pressuring Iran to make a deal to give up its nuclear weapons ambitions.

After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, Trump said in a Truth Social post that he “insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a Deal can be consummated.”

“If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that will be a preference,” he wrote.

MTG CALLS TRUMP’S ENDORSEMENT OF SALAZAR ‘AN INSULT TO HIS BASE’

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Feb. 11, 2026, in Washington D.C. (Avi Ohayon – GPO/Anadolu via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be. Last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a Deal, and they were hit with Midnight Hammer — That did not work well for them. Hopefully this time they will be more reasonable and responsible,” Trump declared in the post.

After taking oath as the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 17 February, Tariq Rahman has given his first address to the nation. He pledged to highlight the priorities of his government, ranging from restoration of democracy to curbing corruption. After becoming the PM of Bangladesh, he bluntly said in his address that the governance in the country will not be run by any party or political influence or force but by law.

Government broadcaster BTV broadcast Tariq Rehman’s speech at around 9.45 pm. In his address to the nation after becoming the Prime Minister, Tariq Rahman said, the BNP government believes that a person’s identity may be different in the form of any political party, opinion, religion, but this country belongs to everyone. Whether someone voted for BNP or not, everyone has equal rights on the new government of Bangladesh.

Tariq Rehman said, he wants to give a message to the people of the country that whether one is Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Christian, belongs to any party, belongs to any religion or caste, lives in the mountains or in the plains, this country belongs to everyone. Every citizen has equal rights as a Bangladeshi in this country and this state. The rule of law will prevail here, not any party or political influence.

Best wishes for Ramadan

Tariq Rehman congratulated the people on the holy month of Ramadan. Also appealed not to cause trouble to people in the holy month of Ramadan and not to earn much profit in business. He advised traders to be careful as this makes the prices of goods beyond the reach of common people.

Tariq Rehman said that his government is determined to eliminate corruption and irregularities in every field. Said, “If we are able to convert our population into skilled workforce, it will become human resources. If we can develop ourselves with skills, then not only Bangladesh but also the global market will open for us.”

Talk about strengthening the rail network

Tariq Rahman talked about strengthening the railway network in Bangladesh. Said, “We believe that if the railway network in the country becomes strong, easy, cheap and safe, it will reduce people’s dependence on urban lifestyle and will also improve the environment.”

Rahman said, “We had asked for your votes in the elections held in Bangladesh. By voting for BNP, people have given us the opportunity to run the government and implement our plans, now it is our duty to fulfill these expectations. We seek your continued support in the coming times in this journey of fulfilling our commitments.”