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US Government Partially Shuts Down Despite Last-Minute Funding Deal
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US Government Partially Shuts Down Despite Last-Minute Funding Deal

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Sarah MitchellSarah Mitchell
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US Government Partially Shuts Down Despite Last-Minute Funding Deal

The United States federal government has partially shut down despite a last-ditch funding deal approved by the US Senate, with the funding lapse officially beginning at midnight US eastern time on Saturday. The deal, which was struck by President Donald Trump with Democrats, carves out a two-week exemption for the Department of Homeland Security. The shutdown is the second in the past year, following a 43-day shutdown in 2025 that had widespread impacts on essential government services.

Key Highlights

  • The US government has partially shut down due to a funding lapse, with the shutdown beginning at midnight US eastern time on Saturday.
  • A last-ditch funding deal was approved by the US Senate, but it has yet to be approved by the US House of Representatives.
  • The deal carves out a two-week exemption for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement agencies.
  • The shutdown is the second in the past year, following a 43-day shutdown in 2025 that had widespread impacts on essential government services.
  • President Trump has urged Republicans to vote for the deal, which Democrats want to include new policies for immigration enforcement agents.
  • The White House has directed several agencies, including the departments of transportation, education, and defense, to execute shutdown plans.
  • Lawmakers plan to use the fortnight on DHS funds to negotiate a deal, with Democrats seeking to rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and end the violence.
  • The Justice Department has launched a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by a US Border Patrol agent.

The Deep Context

The partial shutdown of the US government is a result of a long-standing dispute over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement agencies. The dispute began after the fatal shooting of two US citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents, which sparked widespread criticism of the tactics used by immigration agents. Democrats have refused to give more funding for immigration enforcement, citing concerns over the actions of ICE and the need for greater oversight and accountability. The funding deal approved by the US Senate is an attempt to address these concerns, but it has yet to be approved by the US House of Representatives. According to CBS News: Government shutdown deadline just hours away as Senate works to pass funding deal, dozens of federal agencies are set to see their funding lapse, with the soonest the US House of Representatives can vote on the funding deal and end the shutdown being Monday. As reported by MSN: US government partially shuts down despite last minute funding deal, the funding deal addresses concerns Democrats have about funding the Department of Homeland Security because of enforcement actions in Minnesota.

The partial shutdown is the second in the past year, following a 43-day shutdown in 2025 that had widespread impacts on essential government services, including air travel, and left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay for weeks. As stated by Yahoo News: US government partially shuts down despite last minute funding deal, the United States federal government has partially shutdown despite a last-ditch funding deal approved by the US Senate. The shutdown is unlikely to be as long or widespread as the previous one, with the House of Representatives set to be back in session on Monday. However, the White House has directed several agencies, including the departments of transportation, education, and defense, to execute shutdown plans, as reported by Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Voices from the Streets

The partial shutdown of the US government has sparked widespread criticism and concern, with many calling for greater oversight and accountability of immigration enforcement agents. As stated by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, "We need to rein in ICE and end the violence... That means ending roving patrols. It means requiring rules, oversight, and judicial warrants... Masks need to come off, cameras need to stay on, and officers need visible identification. No secret police." According to MSN: U.S. government partially shuts down; House vote could reopen it by Monday, the funding deal addresses concerns Democrats have about funding the Department of Homeland Security because of enforcement actions in Minnesota. The Justice Department has launched a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by a US Border Patrol agent, as reported by CBS News: Government shutdown deadline just hours away as Senate works to pass funding deal.

Many federal workers are also affected by the shutdown, with hundreds of thousands of workers set to be without pay for weeks. As reported by Yahoo News: US government partially shuts down despite last minute funding deal, the United States federal government has partially shutdown despite a last-ditch funding deal approved by the US Senate. The shutdown is unlikely to be as long or widespread as the previous one, but it will still have significant impacts on essential government services. For more information, see Tennessee legislative session ends with failed voucher push, tax overhaul and..., which provides context on the legislative session.

Legislative & Jurisdictional Conflict

The partial shutdown of the US government is a result of a long-standing dispute over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement agencies. The dispute began after the fatal shooting of two US citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents, which sparked widespread criticism of the tactics used by immigration agents. Democrats have refused to give more funding for immigration enforcement, citing concerns over the actions of ICE and the need for greater oversight and accountability. As reported by CBS News: Government shutdown deadline just hours away as Senate works to pass funding deal, dozens of federal agencies are set to see their funding lapse, with the soonest the US House of Representatives can vote on the funding deal and end the shutdown being Monday.

The funding deal approved by the US Senate is an attempt to address these concerns, but it has yet to be approved by the US House of Representatives. According to MSN: US government partially shuts down despite last minute funding deal, the funding deal addresses concerns Democrats have about funding the Department of Homeland Security because of enforcement actions in Minnesota. The deal carves out a two-week exemption for the Department of Homeland Security, which will allow lawmakers to negotiate a deal on immigration enforcement. For more information, see Government shutdown becomes longest in US history, which provides context on the previous shutdown.

Projections & Critical Questions

The partial shutdown of the US government is unlikely to be as long or widespread as the previous one, with the House of Representatives set to be back in session on Monday. However, the shutdown will still have significant impacts on essential government services, including air travel and federal worker pay. As reported by Yahoo News: US government partially shuts down despite last minute funding deal, the United States federal government has partially shutdown despite a last-ditch funding deal approved by the US Senate. The shutdown raises critical questions about the future of immigration enforcement and the role of ICE in US society. For more information, see US politics, which provides context on the current political climate.

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