US Government Temporarily Shuts Down as House Delays Funding Vote

The US government entered a temporary shutdown on Saturday after Congress failed to pass a funding law before the midnight deadline. Although the Senate approved a funding package on Friday, the House of Representatives is not expected to vote on it until Monday, leaving federal agencies without full appropriations.

The Senate-backed package, approved 71-29, included five long-term appropriations bills and a two-week extension of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to allow further negotiations on immigration enforcement. However, Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, demanded the removal of DHS funding following the fatal shooting of American citizen Alex Pretti in Minnesota by federal immigration agents, marking the second such incident this month.

Federal agencies, including Defense, State, Treasury, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, were instructed to implement shutdown procedures while continuing essential operations. OMB Director Russ Vought urged agencies to execute an orderly shutdown and assured that the administration would continue working with Congress to finalize the fiscal year 2026 appropriations.

Despite the temporary lapse in funding, disruption is expected to be limited. Lawmakers in Washington are keen to avoid a repeat of last year’s 43-day shutdown. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the need for significant reforms to DHS and ICE before the House reconvenes, stressing that Congress should act responsibly to protect the public interest.