A partial shutdown of the federal government is expected to begin early Saturday as Congress struggles to reach an agreement on funding. The immediate sticking point is not overall spending levels, but rather potential new restrictions on the operations of federal immigration authorities, specifically those carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Budget Impasse and Immigration Policy
Lawmakers are currently weighing demands for changes to how the Department of Homeland Security conducts arrests, detentions, and deportations. This debate follows fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents in Minnesota this month.
Senate Democrats and the White House reached a temporary agreement Thursday to fund the Pentagon, the State Department, and agencies overseeing health, education, labor, and transportation through September 30. This deal also temporarily funds the Department of Homeland Security, buying time for further negotiations.
However, the agreement does not include the reforms sought by Democrats – such as banning masks for agents, requiring body cameras, and mandating warrants for searches and arrests. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) delayed the Senate’s final vote on the deal Friday, citing concerns over unrelated issues, including “sanctuary cities” and a law regarding access to senators’ phones.
The House is expected to consider the legislation as early as Monday. The shutdown will continue until the measure is passed by both chambers and signed into law by President Trump, who has indicated his support for the current deal.
Divisions Within Both Parties
While President Trump supports the deal, some Democrats are critical of its lack of immediate reforms. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) stated that Democrats will assess whether two weeks is “sufficient time” to reach a compromise, adding that “ICE as we have seen is out of control.”
Representative Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) called the deal “outrageous,” arguing against continuing to fund the agency without immediate changes. Representative Judy Chu (D-Calif.) indicated she may not support the deal without accountability measures. Conversely, Representative Kevin Calvert (R-Calif.) emphasized the importance of funding the U.S. military, particularly given current deployments in the Middle East.
Some Republicans have also expressed reservations. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) argued that requiring agents to remove masks would endanger them and effectively lead to “amnesty by default.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the potential government shutdown?
A budget impasse in Congress, specifically disagreements over funding for the Department of Homeland Security and potential restrictions on ICE operations, is poised to halt federal operations.
What reforms are Democrats seeking for ICE?
Democrats are seeking to ban federal agents from wearing masks, require the use of body cameras, and require judicial warrants before searching homes and making arrests. They also want to allow state and local law enforcement to independently investigate accusations of wrongdoing by federal agents.
What happens if the House does not pass the deal?
A partial government shutdown will continue until the measure clears the House and is signed into law by President Trump.
Given the divisions within both parties and the history of failed negotiations, it remains to be seen whether a lasting agreement can be reached.
