The US House of Representatives has passed a spending bill ending the four-day partial government shutdown, which started because Democrats opposed funding for President Trump’s immigration crackdown, also some Republicans were not fully on board. The shutdown affected parts of the government, federal offices were closed, workers waiting, also negotiations had broken down because of disagreements over the Department of Homeland Security. It means the government was basically stuck for days and people were watching closely.
The bill passed by 217-214 in the Republican-controlled House. Twenty-one Democrats voted with Republicans to approve it, while an equal number of Republicans opposed it rather than accept Democratic demands about DHS reforms. Trump is expected to sign it quickly, maybe today, ending the shutdown, also offices and workers can return. Negotiations for DHS funding broke down after two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. This event also became a big focus, raised questions about armed immigration sweeps, and made talks more tense.
On Friday, the Senate passed a package covering five federal agencies through September, also a two-week stopgap measure to keep DHS running while immigration enforcement policies are further negotiated. Trump urged Congress to act quickly, “in good faith”, and said another long shutdown would hurt the country badly. He mentioned last summer’s record 43-day closure and said we cannot afford another one.
Democrats wanted reforms for DHS operations, especially immigration sweeps with armed, masked, often unidentifiable agents. Some concessions came after the Minneapolis shootings. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said agents in Minneapolis will wear body cameras immediately, and it means this could expand nationwide. People are watching, this shows accountability is being pushed but not everyone is satisfied yet.
Lawmakers have two weeks now to negotiate full-year DHS funding, which will be politically tense and difficult, also very divisive, observers said. Meanwhile the partial shutdown is over, offices reopen, workers return, but immigration debates continue, it means the bigger issues are still unresolved.
Source: TRT world