Senate Democrats and White House Reach Deal to Prevent Government Shutdown
The White House and Senate Democrats have reached a deal to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for two weeks, preventing a partial government shutdown. This agreement allows for more time to negotiate new restrictions for federal immigration agents carrying out President Trump’s deportation campaign. The deal comes after widespread outrage over the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, by federal agents in Minneapolis.
The agreement extends funding for the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks, while the Pentagon, the State Department, as well as the health, education, labor, and transportation departments will be funded through September 30, according to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office. The Senate could approve the deal as early as Thursday night, but it is unclear when the House will vote on the package. To avert a government shutdown, both chambers need to approve the deal by midnight EST Friday.
Reaction from the White House and Congress
After the agreement was reached, President Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was “working hard with Congress to ensure that we are able to fully fund the Government without delay.” He added, “Republicans and Democrats in Congress have come together to get the vast majority of the Government funded until September, while at the same time providing an extension to the Department of Homeland Security (including the very important Coast Guard, which we are expanding and rebuilding like never before).” The President expressed hope that both Republicans and Democrats would give a bipartisan “yes” vote.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) stated that “Republicans in Congress cannot allow this violent status quo to continue.” He emphasized that Democrats are ready to fund 96% of the federal government but need to work on the DHS bill. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) condemned Democrats, saying they were jeopardizing funding for other agencies as they pushed for their demands.
Background and Context
The standoff comes after federal ICE agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, an American citizen and nurse who attempted to help a fallen woman during an ICE operation in Minneapolis. Pretti’s death was the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal agents in the city in less than two weeks, following the killing of Renee Nicole Good earlier this month. The move to temporarily fund DHS is meant to give lawmakers more time to negotiate Democratic demands, including requirements for federal immigration agents to use body cameras, stop using masks during operations, and tighten rules around arrests and searches without judicial warrants.
The breakthrough comes after Senate Democrats, and seven Senate Republicans, blocked passage of a spending package that included additional funding for DHS through September 30 but not enough guardrails to muster the 60 votes needed to pass the chamber. The deal provides a temporary solution to prevent a government shutdown, but the debate on immigration and ICE operations is far from over.
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