US government enters partial shutdown

"US federal departments were hit by partial shutdown Saturday after a midnight deadline passed without Congress approving a 2026 budget. The blockage came amid Democrat senators' calls for new funding fo the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be made contingent on restrictions on federal immigration agents after they shot dead two people amid protests against the Trump administration's deportation drive."

"Democrats have remained adamant in refusing new DHS funding unless rules are changed for immigration enforcement following the fatal shootings of US citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis. They want any new DHS funding bill to include reforms including stricter warrant requirements, a ban on immigration officers wearing masks and the obligation for them to wear body cameras, among other things."

"The House is expected to convene on Monday to vote on the package, which has already received the approval of US President Donald Trump. He has urged quick House action to avoid a prolonged shutdown like the record 43-day one last fall. If the present shutdown lasts more than a few days, tens of thousands of federal workers risk being put on unpaid leave or being asked to work on without pay until funding is restored."

A partial federal shutdown began after a midnight deadline passed without Congressional approval of the 2026 budget. Democratic senators have tied new Department of Homeland Security funding to changes in immigration enforcement following fatal shootings during deportation protests. The House had approved a package to fund six departments but must vote again on an amended Senate-backed measure that provides only temporary DHS funding while negotiations continue. The House is expected to vote Monday, and the President urged quick action to avoid a prolonged shutdown. If the shutdown persists more than a few days, tens of thousands of federal workers could face unpaid leave or work without pay. Congress has approved six of the 12 annual funding bills, and a Senate-approved two-week DHS stopgap is intended to enable negotiations on proposed reforms.

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