Senate passes $1.2 trillion spending bill, but partial shutdown appears inevitable

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Senate passes .2 trillion spending bill, but partial shutdown appears inevitable — Senate passes 12 trillion spending bill but partial shutdown appears.jpg

The Senate passed a bill on Friday to fund most federal operations through the end of September, but a partial government shutdown is likely to occur, lasting at least through the weekend. Funding for 78% of the federal government will expire at midnight on Saturday, despite efforts to avoid a shutdown with a deal between Senate Democrats and the White House.

The deal separated funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from a larger bill that cleared the House last week. The Senate passed the $1.2 trillion bill in a 71-29 vote. However, with the House in recess until Monday, they will not be able to approve the Senate’s changes before the shutdown deadline.

The impacts of a partial weekend shutdown are expected to be minimal, as several agencies, including Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, Interior, Energy, Justice, and Commerce, are already fully funded through the end of the fiscal year. However, the Pentagon and departments like Labor, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Education, Housing and Urban Development, and State will be affected by the funding lapse.

Senators faced challenges passing the House version of the spending bill following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. Some lawmakers refused to fund DHS without placing restrictions on federal law enforcement practices in the spending bill.

The deal reached by Senate leaders and President Trump provides DHS with two weeks of funding while negotiations take place on limits for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) tactics. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has proposed provisions to enhance oversight of ICE agents and enforce a code of conduct for federal agents.

Senator Lindsey Graham held up the legislation, arguing that the bipartisan agreement was a “bad deal.” He expressed frustration at not being included in the negotiations with the White House. President Trump urged Congress to keep the government open to avoid another damaging shutdown.

In conclusion, the funding lapse for most federal operations is set to begin at midnight on Saturday, with a partial government shutdown likely to last through the weekend. The House is expected to vote on the Senate-passed legislation when they reconvene on Monday. The impact of the shutdown is expected to be limited, but ongoing negotiations on DHS funding and federal law enforcement practices remain unresolved.