The US Senate has currently passed a major government spending package by a bipartisan vote of 71-29, which was designed to fund most federal agencies through the current fiscal year.
However, the deadline had passed when the deal came into play. This is why the country's government is now facing a shutdown that might stay in place for a brief period of time.
{img}The agreement separates out funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which is tied up in controversy related to immigration enforcement policies.
This includes recent fatal shootings by federal agents in Minnesota. Senate leaders worked to ensure that bigger government funding bills might move ahead without being stalled by disagreements with the DHS.
{img}Despite the Senate's approval, the House of Reps was in recess and isn't expected to vote on the package until Monday at the earliest. The partial government shutdown took effect at 12:01 am Eastern Time on Saturday. However, lawmakers from both sides confirmed that this shutdown would be brief as congressional leaders seek to finalize and pass a complete set of spending bills soon.