ADVERTISEMENT The comments on the floor from Grassley, whose position as president pro tempore makes him the second-highest Senate official, are unusual.

Sen. @ChuckGrassley: "Let's all pray that the president will have wisdom to sign the bill so government doesn't shut down." pic.twitter.com/phUQOfdYC7 — CSPAN (@cspan) February 14, 2019

GOP senators including Grassley generally open the Senate by leading in the pledge of allegiance and announcing who will give the daily prayer.

But his opening Thursday underscored lawmakers' desire to see the funding deal reached by a bipartisan group of negotiators get over the finish line and prevent another shutdown, after the record-long 35-day partial shutdown ended just last month.

Congress is expected to take up a funding deal that would prevent a second government shutdown in as many months later Thursday.

The bill, which would fund approximately a quarter of the federal government, includes $1.375 billion for physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border wall.

Trump hasn't officially said he will sign the legislation but GOP lawmakers are hopeful that he'll support the bill and prevent kicking the federal government into another funding fight.

"I hope each of my colleagues will join me in moving forward with the agreement produced by this hard work and the president will sign it into law," he said.