US Senate Democrats Reach Last-Minute Deal to Avoid Government Shutdown
In a dramatic turn of events, US Senate Democrats have reached a deal with Republicans to advance major spending bills, averting a partial government shutdown that was set to begin on Saturday. The agreement calls for splitting the funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from other packages of spending bills, which would fund DHS for two weeks at its current levels.
While the deal avoids a partial shutdown, it does not address some of the Democrats' key demands, including reforms to federal agents involved in mass deportations under the Trump administration. The agency overseeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the US border patrol, will remain partially funded until further talks can be held over these issues.
In a statement on social media, former President Donald Trump endorsed the spending deal, praising Republicans and Democrats for coming together to fund the government while providing an extension to DHS. However, his endorsement did little to ease tensions, as many of his critics accused him of trying to undermine the Democratic-led efforts.
Senate Democrats had refused to back funding for DHS unless it included reforms to federal agents involved in mass deportations. In a statement before Thursday's failed vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Republicans to work with Democrats on legislation that would rein in ICE and end "violent" policies.
The deal marks a last-minute effort by lawmakers to avoid a partial government shutdown, which could have affected many of the government's functions. While the agreement avoids a catastrophic shutdown, it also highlights the ongoing tensions between President Biden's administration and the Republican-led Senate over issues like immigration enforcement.
With the House out of session for the weekend, there remains uncertainty about how long DHS funding will remain extended. The White House has expressed support for passing legislation to fund the government and address concerns around ICE's activities, but it is unclear whether these efforts will succeed in the short term.
In a dramatic turn of events, US Senate Democrats have reached a deal with Republicans to advance major spending bills, averting a partial government shutdown that was set to begin on Saturday. The agreement calls for splitting the funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from other packages of spending bills, which would fund DHS for two weeks at its current levels.
While the deal avoids a partial shutdown, it does not address some of the Democrats' key demands, including reforms to federal agents involved in mass deportations under the Trump administration. The agency overseeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the US border patrol, will remain partially funded until further talks can be held over these issues.
In a statement on social media, former President Donald Trump endorsed the spending deal, praising Republicans and Democrats for coming together to fund the government while providing an extension to DHS. However, his endorsement did little to ease tensions, as many of his critics accused him of trying to undermine the Democratic-led efforts.
Senate Democrats had refused to back funding for DHS unless it included reforms to federal agents involved in mass deportations. In a statement before Thursday's failed vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Republicans to work with Democrats on legislation that would rein in ICE and end "violent" policies.
The deal marks a last-minute effort by lawmakers to avoid a partial government shutdown, which could have affected many of the government's functions. While the agreement avoids a catastrophic shutdown, it also highlights the ongoing tensions between President Biden's administration and the Republican-led Senate over issues like immigration enforcement.
With the House out of session for the weekend, there remains uncertainty about how long DHS funding will remain extended. The White House has expressed support for passing legislation to fund the government and address concerns around ICE's activities, but it is unclear whether these efforts will succeed in the short term.