Senate deadlock on curbing immigration forces pushes Homeland Security agencies toward shutdown

"The deep polarization fracturing the United States is on the verge of triggering a third government shutdown in just four months a budgetary and administrative anomaly. While this shutdown is partial and limited, the inability of Republicans and Democrats to agree on increased oversight of immigration agents threatens to temporarily close several agencies, including the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Secret Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), among others. Some 260,000 public employees would have to continue working without pay."

"The political impasse stems from the complex budget process in both houses of the U.S. Congress. The House of Representatives and the Senate must approve 12 appropriations bills that authorize discretionary spending across dozens of federal agencies. They have already passed 11 bills affecting approximately 90% of federal government spending through to September 30, the end of the fiscal year. Only one appropriations bill, affecting the Department of Homeland Security, remains to be passed."

Deep political polarization is threatening a third U.S. government shutdown within four months, driven by disagreement over oversight of immigration agents and DHS funding. A partial shutdown could temporarily close agencies such as the Coast Guard, TSA, Secret Service, and FEMA, while some 260,000 public employees would be required to work without pay. The Senate fell short of the 60-vote threshold, voting 52 to 47, leaving the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill unresolved. The impasse arises from the congressional requirement to pass 12 appropriations bills; 11 have passed covering roughly 90% of federal discretionary spending through September 30.

Read at english.elpais.com