The United States federal government has partially shutdown despite a last-ditch funding deal approved by the US Senate.
The funding lapse officially began at midnight US eastern time on Saturday, hours after senators agreed to fund most agencies until September. The bill carved out a two-week exemption for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement agencies.
The bill has yet to be approved by the US House of Representatives, which is out of session.
President Donald Trump struck the deal with Democrats after they refused to provide more funding for immigration enforcement following the fatal shooting of two US citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents.
This marks the second government shutdown in the past year, occurring just 11 weeks after the previous funding deadlock, which lasted 43 days, the longest in US history. That shutdown had a major impact on essential government services and left numerous federal employees without pay.
However, this shutdown is not expected to extend for long as the House is set to reconvene on Monday. The White House is directing several agencies, including transportation, education, and defense, to implement shutdown procedures. A memo from the White House urged employees to report for orderly shutdown activities.
President Trump has called on Republicans, who hold the majority in the House, to vote for the deal. Lawmakers plan to use the two-week exemption for DHS funds to negotiate a new agreement, with Democrats pushing for reforms related to immigration enforcement agents.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has highlighted the need to increase oversight and accountability of immigration officials in light of the recent shooting incidents.
The Justice Department has commenced a civil rights investigation into the shooting of Alex Pretti, a nurse who was shot by a Border Patrol agent during an altercation.
