By: The Trek News Desk
US President Donald Trump has announced that Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the Senate have reached a consensus to move ahead with a key funding package aimed at keeping large parts of the federal government running. Under the agreement, five out of six spending bills have been cleared, while the bill related to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been temporarily excluded from the package.
According to media reports, senators from both parties agreed on Thursday to approve funding for five major departments. However, due to ongoing disagreements over DHS, its funding will be extended for a short period of two weeks at current levels, allowing lawmakers additional time to negotiate a fresh arrangement.
President Trump welcomed the deal and expressed hope that lawmakers from both sides would support the bipartisan proposal in the interest of the country. He said the agreement would ensure funding for most federal departments until the end of the 2026 fiscal year in September, while also providing a temporary extension for DHS, which includes agencies such as the Coast Guard.
The dispute over DHS funding emerged after two recent incidents in Minnesota, where federal agents were involved in the fatal shootings of two US citizens. These events triggered nationwide protests and intensified scrutiny of DHS agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Democratic lawmakers have been pressing for reforms, including mandatory warrants before arrests by federal agents and clearer rules on agent identification. Some senators have gone further, demanding the removal of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and structural reforms within ICE and CBP.
While the spending package has already been passed by the House of Representatives, it still requires at least 60 votes in the Senate to move forward. With Republicans holding 53 seats, Democratic support remains crucial for its passage.
Following the removal of the DHS bill, the revised package will now be sent back to the House for approval. Since House lawmakers are not expected to return until Monday, there is a possibility that funding for certain departments could briefly lapse over the weekend. Officials, however, say the impact would be limited as many government services do not operate during weekends.
If delays persist, the United States could face a partial government shutdown rather than a complete halt. Several federal agencies are already funded through 2026 under previously passed legislation. Employees considered essential within DHS would continue working, though their pay would be delayed until funding is restored.
The most recent US government shutdown lasted 43 days, from October 1 to November 12 last year, marking the longest shutdown in the country’s history. Around 1.4 million federal employees were affected, and several public services faced major disruptions.
Source: News Agencies
