The U.S. government's brief shutdown has come to an end, but the battle over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is far from over. After days of partisan gridlock, lawmakers in the Senate have reached a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government, but the fight over DHS funding remains a sticking point that could lead to further disruptions.
The Shutdown's Swift Resolution
The government shutdown, which began on Saturday after Congress failed to pass a spending bill, was relatively short-lived thanks to a breakthrough in the Senate. Reuters reports that lawmakers were able to reach a compromise that allowed for the passage of a funding package that will keep most federal agencies operational through the end of the fiscal year.
The deal, which passed the Senate on Friday night, came too late to prevent the shutdown from taking effect, but it sets the stage for the House of Representatives to quickly vote and end the disruption. NPR notes that the House left Washington last week, expecting the Senate to pass the package, but the dynamics shifted after a fatal shooting by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis.
The DHS Funding Fight
While the broader government funding deal appears to have bipartisan support, the battle over DHS funding is far from resolved. CNN reports that Democrats are now insisting that the DHS funding be stripped from the larger package, a demand that would require the House to return and reapprove the modified bill.
The push to separate DHS funding comes in the wake of two fatal shootings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis this month, which have sparked outrage from Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed to block any bill that includes DHS funding, calling the agency "out of control" and accusing it of "killing people, separating families, and terrorizing our communities."
Implications for the Road Ahead
What this really means is that the U.S. government is not out of the woods yet when it comes to the threat of a shutdown. The bigger picture here is that the partisan divide over immigration and the role of federal enforcement agencies like ICE and CBP has become a major fault line in Congress, one that could lead to further gridlock and disruptions in the coming months.
As CNBC reports, the IRS and other key federal agencies would see their funding lapse if lawmakers fail to resolve the DHS impasse. With the House currently on recess, there is a real risk of a brief but impactful partial shutdown if the two sides cannot come to an agreement quickly.
The fight over DHS funding is a reflection of the deep political divisions that continue to plague U.S. politics. It remains to be seen whether lawmakers can set aside their differences and find a compromise, or if the government is headed for another disruptive standoff.