The US government shutdown officially began early Saturday after Congress failed to approve a funding agreement before the midnight deadline. The shutdown took effect at 12:01 am Eastern time, temporarily halting several federal operations and placing pressure on lawmakers to act quickly.
Earlier, the US Senate approved a spending package by a strong bipartisan vote of 71 to 29. However, the House of Representatives was not in session and did not take up the measure in time. According to a Republican leadership aide, House lawmakers are not expected to vote on the deal until Monday, resulting in a short lapse in funding.
Despite the disruption, officials believe the shutdown will be brief. Leaders from both political parties are working to ensure that ongoing debates over immigration enforcement tactics do not interfere with essential government services. This approach contrasts sharply with last year’s shutdown, which lasted 43 days and caused an estimated 11 billion dollars in economic damage.
Historically, brief funding gaps are not unusual. Since 1977, the federal government has experienced 10 short shutdowns lasting three days or less, most of which had minimal real-world impact, according to the Congressional Research Service.
At the center of the current dispute is funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The Senate approved a plan to separate DHS funding from the broader spending bill. This would allow continued funding for agencies such as the Pentagon and the Department of Labour while lawmakers debate changes to immigration enforcement rules.
Tensions intensified after the shooting death of nurse Alex Pretti, a US citizen with no criminal record, by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. This marked the second such incident this month and sparked nationwide outrage. Senate Democrats have demanded stricter oversight, including body cameras for agents, limits on patrol tactics, and a requirement for judicial search warrants.
Under the proposal, DHS funding would be extended for two weeks, giving negotiators time to reach a compromise. Until then, the US government shutdown remains in effect, though expectations remain high that normal operations will resume soon.
