The US Senate passed a spending bill, but a short government shutdown is likely as the House cannot vote until Monday, delaying immigration talks.
WASHINGTON: The US government is headed for a partial shutdown as Congress appears unlikely to approve a funding deal before a midnight deadline.
The Senate passed a bipartisan spending package by a vote of 71 to 29 after hours of delay.
However, the House of Representatives is out of session and not expected to take up the measure until Monday, according to a Republican leadership aide.
READ MORE: US Senate rejects vote to avert government shutdown
This makes a shutdown almost certain to begin at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on Saturday.
Lawmakers from both parties have worked to ensure a debate over immigration enforcement does not disrupt other government operations.
This contrasts with last fall’s 43-day shutdown, which cost the US economy an estimated $11 billion.
The government has endured 10 funding gaps of three days or fewer since 1977, most with little real-world effect.
The Senate deal separates funding for the Department of Homeland Security from the broader package.
This allows approval of spending for agencies like the Pentagon while lawmakers debate new immigration restrictions.
Senate Democrats had threatened to hold up the funding to force changes to DHS operations.
They are angered by the recent shooting of a second US citizen by immigration agents in Minneapolis.
Democrats want to end roving patrols and require agents to wear body cameras and obtain judicial warrants.
Republicans say they are open to some of those ideas.
DHS funding would be extended for two weeks to give negotiators time to reach an agreement.
The shooting death of nurse Alex Pretti spurred public outrage, prompting a de-escalation of operations.
Pretti’s death was the second this month of a US citizen with no criminal record involving immigration agents. – Reuters
