The U.S. Senate approved a spending package on Friday to fund most federal agencies through September, but the House's recess delayed approval, triggering a partial government shutdown. The measure isolates Department of Homeland Security funding for two weeks amid demands for immigration enforcement reforms following deadly shootings in Minneapolis. Lawmakers expect the brief lapse to have minimal impact if the House acts swiftly on Monday.
A partial government shutdown took effect at midnight on Friday after the Senate passed a funding deal, but the House, on recess until Monday, has yet to approve it. The legislation covers five key areas—defense, labor-health-education, transportation-housing, state, and financial services—extending their funding through the fiscal year ending in September. However, funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is limited to a two-week stopgap to allow negotiations on reforms.
The impasse stems from two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis this month, including Alex Pretti last week. Democrats, emboldened by public outrage, refused to support the broader DHS funding without changes to curb aggressive tactics. Their demands include requiring judicial warrants for raids, mandating body cameras and unmasked agents, establishing use-of-force rules and a code of conduct, ending "roving patrols," clearer identification, easier legal action against officers, and independent investigations.
"I think people want us to fight. People want us to act in an urgent way," said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., arguing the party aligns with public sentiment. Republicans show mixed reactions: Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., criticized ICE leadership as "amateurs" undermining the president's immigration message, while others like Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., defended the agency. "We're not going to keep ICE from doing their job," Mullin said. Some Republicans support hearings and probes, and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division is investigating Pretti's death.
President Trump has endorsed the package, but House passage is uncertain with Speaker Mike Johnson's slim majority and opposition from the Freedom Caucus. New ICE acting director Tom Homan promised "safer, more efficient" operations "by the book," though the White House's push for mass deportations, led by Stephen Miller, suggests limited shifts. Unlike the prolonged shutdown last fall, this one may last days, sparing most paychecks but furloughing some workers like TSA agents. Food assistance remains funded through September.
