The U.S. federal government entered a partial shutdown after the Senate failed to pass legislation before the 12:01 a.m. deadline Saturday.
However, the shutdown is expected to be brief and make little impact.
Senate leaders are expected to finalize a deal within the next several hours.
🚨Just in: The U.S. government has entered a partial shutdown after the Senate failed to pass a $1.2 trillion funding bill before midnight. However, Senate leaders say they are expected to finish funding the government within the next several hours. pic.twitter.com/bYCjLw9PGt
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) March 23, 2024
The House of Representatives voted on Friday to pass a $1.2 trillion spending package.
According to NBC News, the bill funds the “departments of State, Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services and Homeland Security, among others.”
🚨#BREAKING: The Partial U.S. government shutdown has started a deal is reportedly expected to pass within hours pic.twitter.com/ct7iIrDCkP
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 23, 2024
From NBC News:
But amid Republican demands for amendments, the Senate was unable to reach an agreement to hold a speedy vote ahead of a midnight deadline to fund those departments.
The Senate indicated it has sufficient support to get the bill across the finish line following a 78-18 procedural vote on Friday that advanced the measure. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced just before the deadline that both parties have an agreement to vote on multiple amendments and then final passage of the bill early Saturday morning.
Barring unforeseen problems, the shutdown would have very little impact. If it dragged on through Monday, it would trigger furloughs and suspension of various federal services, with “essential” workers like air traffic controllers and TSA agents working regardless.
“It’s been a very long and difficult day, but we have just reached an agreement to complete the job of funding the government,” Schumer announced on the Senate floor just before midnight. “It is good for the country that we have reached this bipartisan deal.”
🚨🇺🇸 BREAKING: U.S. GOVERNMENT ENTERS SHUTDOWN AS SENATE FAILED TO PASS $1.2 TRILLION BILL BY DEADLINE
Republican demands for amendments are allegedly the reason for the issue.
If the bill doesn't go into effect by Monday, all federal services falling outside the scope of… pic.twitter.com/BEidx7pwec
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 23, 2024
Per CNN:
The Senate has reached a last-minute agreement to vote on the government funding package tonight, and avert a shutdown, after an hours-long standoff over amendment votes.
Republicans were demanding votes on controversial amendments that could put some vulnerable Senate Democrats in tough spots. The agreement includes up to 12 amendment votes, followed by final passage.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began with a quorum call to give members time to get to the floor, and urged members to vote quickly once the vote series begins.
Of course, many people argued to shut down the government.
Vote NO. Shut it down. No more. https://t.co/vEfIbOAbbL
— Lara Logan (@laralogan) March 21, 2024
The United Stares government is a crime syndicate 💯
They stopped working for
WE THE PEOPLE
a long time ago.SHUT IT DOWN ‼️ pic.twitter.com/trHKcjPBbu
— 🇺🇸𝕄𝔸𝔾𝔸 𝑵𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒚 ن ♱ (@45LVNancy) March 22, 2024
Read what’s in the $1.2 trillion spending package below:
You Won’t Believe The WOKE GARBAGE Included In The Ridiculous $1.2 Trillion Spending Bill
This story is developing.