U.S. Enters Brief Government Shutdown as House Delays DHS Funding Vote

The U.S. government entered a partial shutdown early Saturday after Congress failed to approve a funding deal before the midnight deadline. The Senate passed a bipartisan spending package 71-29, but the House, currently out of session, is not expected to take it up until Monday.

The shutdown is expected to be short-lived. Lawmakers separated Department of Homeland Security funding from other agencies, allowing essential operations, including the Pentagon and Department of Labor, to continue while negotiations over immigration enforcement continue.

Senate Democrats have pushed for reforms following the shooting of U.S. citizen Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, demanding measures such as body cameras, mask bans, and court-issued search warrants for immigration actions. Republicans have signaled willingness to consider some proposals.

DHS funding under the deal will extend for two weeks, giving Congress time to reach a compromise on immigration tactics. The Pretti incident, the second fatality this month involving federal agents, has intensified scrutiny on enforcement operations in Minnesota.