The possibility of a partial shutdown of the federal US government increased on Friday, as Reuters reports, the Senate failed to reach an immediate agreement on approving a funding bill proposed by President Donald Trump and the Democrats. This agreement would have allowed Congress to approve spending for much of the government’s operations, such as the Armed Forces and health programs, while continuing negotiations for new restrictions on the administration’s strict immigration policy.
The process stalled Thursday evening when some senators expressed objections to the agreement’s content. The Senate was scheduled to resume work at 11 a.m. (US time), with the deadline for federal services funding agreement expiring at midnight.
Even if the Senate approves the agreement, it must also pass through the House of Representatives, which is controlled by Republicans and has no other session scheduled this week. House Speaker Mike Johnson noted Thursday that it would be difficult for representatives to return in time for a vote before the deadline expires.
Shutdown: Democrats’ stance after the Pretti case
Even if a shutdown occurs, it is expected to be brief. Both parties want to avoid having the immigration policy dispute paralyze other government services. This stance differs significantly from last fall, when disagreement between Democrats and Republicans over health policy led to a record 43-day shutdown, with an estimated cost of $11 billion to the economy.
The proposed agreement separates Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding from the rest of the spending package, so that funds for services like the Pentagon and Department of Labor can be approved immediately, while lawmakers continue negotiations for restrictions on federal immigration authorities’ practices.
Senate Democrats, outraged by the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti from immigration agents’ gunfire in Minneapolis last weekend, had threatened to block funding, pressuring President Trump to limit DHS actions, which oversees federal immigration law enforcement.
Among the Democrats’ demands are: ending mobile patrols, mandatory body cameras for ICE agents, banning face coverings, and requiring judicial search warrants instead of internal agency approval. Some Republicans have stated they are open to some of these proposals.
DHS funding is expected to be extended for two weeks to allow time for reaching an agreement on immigration practices.
