US Government Shutdown 2019: Partial Shutdown Amid Funding Deal

US Government Shutdown 2019: Partial Shutdown Amid Funding Deal

The US federal government has entered a partial shutdown despite a last-minute funding deal agreed upon by the Senate. The shutdown began at midnight on Saturday, hours after senators approved funding for most agencies until September. The bill only funds the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks, whereas previously it would have been entirely funded.

The House of Representatives, currently in session, has yet to approve the measure. This shutdown follows the fatal shooting of two US citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis, prompting Democratic demands for reforms on immigration enforcement agencies like ICE.

This is the second government shutdown in a year and comes just 11 weeks after the historic 43-day shutdown. While this shutdown may not be as long or widespread as the previous one, several agencies, including Transportation, Education, and Defense, have been instructed to prepare for a shutdown.

Employees are advised to report to work for their next regularly scheduled tour of duty. Trump has urged Republican lawmakers to support the deal, which aims to negotiate further reforms during the two-week period. Both parties have criticized ICE's tactics in recent weeks following the Minneapolis shooting. A civil rights investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

Key Points:

- Partial Shutdown due to a funding deal agreed upon by the Senate.

- Funding Duration: Most agencies funded until September, DHS funded for two weeks.

- House Approval: Measure yet to be approved by the House of Representatives.

- Shooting Incident: Fatal shooting of two citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents led to demands for immigration enforcement reforms.

- Shutdown History: Second shutdown in a year, 11 weeks after the record-breaking 43-day shutdown.

- Preparation: Agencies instructed to prepare for shutdown, employees advised to report as per their tour of duty.

- Republican Urging: Trump urges Republican lawmakers to support the deal for further negotiations on reforms.

- Civil Rights Investigation: Ongoing investigation into the shooting by federal agents.