US Federal Government Shuts Down for Second Time in Six Months Amid Budget Dispute
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the US federal government has shut down for the second time in six months following Congress’s inability to reach an agreement on the annual budget. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has instructed federal agencies to prepare for the shutdown, which will be more limited in scope compared to the previous instance.
While Congress has managed to secure funding for certain departments, including the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Justice, the majority of federal expenditures remain unresolved. The deadlock stems from disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over immigration policies, prompting Senate Democrats to withdraw from a bipartisan agreement that would have funded the government through the 2026 fiscal year.
The Democrats’ decision came after several individuals were killed by US immigration police, leading them to threaten blocking the government funding bill unless the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget was removed. A prolonged shutdown could result in flight delays, unpaid military salaries, and reduced healthcare services.
Senate Democrats and the White House have reached a new agreement that funds all departments except DHS until September 30, with DHS receiving a two-week funding extension. US President Donald Trump praised the deal on Truth Social, urging Republicans to support it and warning that a prolonged shutdown could harm the country.
However, some Senate Republicans remain dissatisfied with the agreement, expressing anger over specific budget allocations included in the bill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, with Democratic support, managed to quell opposition and advance the revised package, which still requires approval from the House of Representatives. The duration of the shutdown now depends on House Speaker Mike Johnson’s ability to forge consensus between Republicans and Democrats.
