The Brief Senate lawmakers struck a deal on Thursday to fund a portion of the government, avoiding a partial shutdown. The deal would allow temporary funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which was the biggest hurdle. Democrats asked for a two-week extension as they continue to work with Republicans on a permanent funding solution. The Senate on Thursday struck a deal to avert a partial government shutdown and temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security just one day before the shutdown deadline. Republicans were pushing for a longer extension of the Homeland Security funding, but the two sides were "getting closer," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.