Lawmakers have until the end of Friday to keep the government fully open.
Democrats are taking a stand against President Trump’s immigration policies following the shooting death of Alex Preti by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis.
Just months after the previous government shutdown, another partial government shutdown began on Saturday, January 31st, after lawmakers failed to pass a funding bill by the January 30th deadline.
It is unclear how long the spending shortfall will last. But given the momentum between Senate Democrats, Republicans and the White House in recent days, it’s unlikely to last as long as last time.
The Senate on Friday night passed a spending bill that extends spending for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Security, for two weeks while lawmakers negotiate over ICE reform and funds other government agencies through September.
DHS and ICE are embroiled in a dispute after federal immigration agents shot and killed Renee Good and Alex Preti in Minneapolis. Democrats have been calling for changes to immigration enforcement in recent days, risking being shut down in the process.
The bill now moves to the House, which is in recess. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday would likely be the “earliest” time for a vote in Congress.
