As of January 31, the US Government Has Partially Shut Down Due to a Lack of Funding

Since January 31, the work of the US government has been partially suspended due to the absence of approved funding.

The immediate trigger for the shutdown was the refusal by Democratic senators to back a bill funding the Department of Homeland Security. The decision followed raids by immigration and border enforcement agencies, during which two local residents in Minnesota—Rene Good and Alex Pretti—were shot dead.

Because of the Democrats’ position, the House of Representatives failed to consider and approve a broader package of bills funding other federal agencies before the deadline—midnight on Friday, January 30.

On Friday, January 30, the upper chamber of Congress approved a compromise version of the government funding bill. However, a vote in the lower chamber is not possible until Monday, February 2. Republicans hold a majority there, making the bill’s passage likely.