US Government Partially Shuts Down Despite Last-Minute Funding Deal
The US federal government has entered a partial shutdown following an eleventh-hour funding agreement approved by the Senate. This lapse in funding commenced at midnight Eastern Time (05:00 GMT) on Saturday, just hours after senators managed to secure funding for most federal agencies until September. However, the bill provides only two weeks of funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement, rather than a complete shutdown.
Key Details of the Funding Deal
– Senate Approval: The Senate approved the funding deal, but it has yet to receive the House of Representatives’ endorsement, which is currently out of session.
– Presidential Negotiation: President Donald Trump negotiated the deal with Democrats after their refusal to allocate additional funds for immigration enforcement, following the fatal shooting of two US citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents.
– Recent Shutdown Context: This is the second government shutdown in the past year, occurring just 11 weeks after a historic 43-day stalemate that ended in November 2025, marking the longest shutdown in US history. That shutdown significantly affected essential services, including air travel, and left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay.
However, this current shutdown is unlikely to be as prolonged or disruptive, as the House of Representatives is expected to reconvene on Monday.
Agency Guidance During the Shutdown
In response to the shutdown, the White House has instructed several federal agencies, including the Departments of Transportation, Education, and Defense, to implement shutdown protocols. A memo distributed to agencies advised:
– Employees should report to work for their next regularly scheduled tour of duty to undertake orderly shutdown activities.
– It is our hope that this lapse will be short.
Legislative Outlook and Negotiations
Trump has called on Republicans, who hold a majority in the House, to support the funding deal. Lawmakers plan to use the two-week DHS funding window to finalize further negotiations. Democrats are eager to include new policies for immigration enforcement within these discussions. Senator Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader, emphasized the need for reform, stating:
– “We need to rein in ICE and end the violence.”
– He called for oversight measures, including ending roving patrols and requiring judicial warrants, insisting, “Masks need to come off, cameras need to stay on, and officers need visible identification. No secret police.”
Public Reaction and Ongoing Investigations
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have sharply criticized the tactics employed by immigration agents after the recent shooting of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, in Minneapolis. Following the incident, where Pretti was shot by a US Border Patrol agent during a struggle, the Justice Department has initiated a civil rights investigation.
In conclusion, the US government is currently experiencing a partial shutdown despite a last-minute funding deal, with ongoing negotiations set to take place in the coming weeks. The focus on immigration enforcement continues to be a contentious issue, with lawmakers from both sides voicing strong opinions on necessary reforms.