MENA Newswire, WASHINGTON: The U.S. Senate approved a sweeping government funding agreement late Friday, but a short partial shutdown began after the House of Representatives left Washington without taking it up before a midnight deadline. The Senate vote, 71 to 29, advanced a package designed to keep most federal agencies funded through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, while separating the Department of Homeland Security for a brief extension.
The measure cleared the Senate after hours of amendment votes and procedural steps, sending the legislation to the House, which is scheduled to return on Monday, Feb. 2. With final congressional action not completed by 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on Saturday, Jan. 31, some federal operations faced an immediate lapse in funding pending House passage and the president’s signature.
Under federal shutdown rules, agencies without appropriations generally halt nonessential activities and may furlough affected employees until funding is restored. Essential functions related to safety and security continue, and employees deemed essential typically remain on duty, though staffing and services can be reduced. Lawmakers from both parties said they aimed to limit disruption by moving the largest portion of annual funding as a single package.
The Senate-backed plan pairs full-year appropriations for most departments with a short-term extension for Homeland Security at current funding levels. The approach was built around a five-bill package that would finance broad sections of the government through Sept. 30, while giving Congress and the administration additional time to address policy disputes tied to immigration enforcement and the agency’s operations.
Accountability debate over Homeland Security
Homeland Security was separated from the larger funding package and funded for two additional weeks, a structure lawmakers said was intended to allow debate on proposed limits and oversight measures affecting federal immigration enforcement. The compromise followed demands from Senate Democrats that Congress take up changes involving identification requirements and operational rules for federal agents before approving longer-term Homeland Security funding.
The Senate’s path to passage included consideration of several amendments and late-stage objections that slowed final action earlier in the week. One amendment proposed redirecting funds from immigration enforcement to Medicaid but failed on a 49 to 51 vote, with two Republicans supporting it. Separately, objections from Sen. Lindsey Graham delayed fast-track consideration until Senate leaders agreed to provide a later vote on a separate issue he raised.
The House now faces a compressed timeline and a procedural hurdle. The measure is expected to be brought to the floor under a process that requires a two-thirds majority, increasing the need for bipartisan support. Speaker Mike Johnson said the House would aim to vote Monday evening, and lawmakers in both parties have signaled they want to end the funding lapse quickly.
Next steps and funding deadline
If the House passes the Senate-approved package without changes, it would be sent to the president for signature, restoring funding for agencies covered by the five-bill portion through Sept. 30 and continuing Homeland Security funding on the two-week schedule. The split structure sets up a separate near-term deadline for Homeland Security, while leaving most federal operations funded for the remainder of the fiscal year once the larger package becomes law.