Partial Financial Shutdown Begins in the United States with Anticipation of Quick Resolution

SadaNews Economy - The United States entered a partial financial shutdown at midnight Saturday (5:00 GMT), with anticipation of a quick resolution as the House of Representatives is set to vote on a related bill on Monday.

After three months of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, this financial paralysis is caused by the Democratic opposition's refusal to approve a proposed budget for the Department of Homeland Security without imposing restrictions on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after two American citizens were shot by its agents in Minneapolis.

The U.S. Senate adopted, on Friday, a financial bill aimed at limiting the imminent federal government shutdown.

The partial shutdown effectively begins at midnight Friday (5 AM Saturday GMT), but it could end early next week when the House votes on the text.

The bill outlines minor anticipated repercussions, as the shutdown might only last through the weekend, without the need to furlough many public sector employees.

The bill was adopted with a majority of 71 votes in favor and 29 opposed, stemming from an agreement between President Donald Trump and Democratic senators who rejected the proposed budget for the Department of Homeland Security prior to implementing reforms in ICE following the shooting of two American citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis.

An agreement was eventually reached to adopt five of the six sections of the budget text, while the section related to the Department of Homeland Security will undergo further negotiations over the next two weeks.

However, since the version approved in the Senate differs from the version previously passed by the House, it will need to be presented to the House again before a potential final approval.

Voting in the House cannot take place until Monday at the earliest, thus the federal government will find itself in a partial shutdown by midnight Friday. It is uncertain whether the House will accept the new version drafted by the Senate.

Last week, it seemed that the text would be approved before the deadline of January 31, but last Saturday's events in Minneapolis changed everything.

The killing of Alex Bretty by federal agents in the city sparked outrage within the political class.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated the Democrats' demands on Friday, saying he wants to "rein in ICE and end the violence."