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The federal government is shutting down for the second time in six months after Congress failed to reach an agreement on the yearly budget.
This came after the Senate caved and insisted on amending a House-passed spending bill painstakingly negotiated over months with Democrats.
The spending bill, which passed the Senate on a 71-29 vote, funds around two-thirds of the federal government, including the U.S. Departments of War, Treasury, State, Health and Human Services, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Education. The House had to pass the legislation but was not in session.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) are expected to notify federal agencies to begin shutdown preparations as early as just after midnight on Jan. 31 Unlike last time, however, the government is only entering a partial shutdown.
That’s because Congress was able to pass legislation fully funding some areas — the Department of Agriculture, the legislative branch, and the Department of Justice, for instance — while a majority of federal spending is still not set.
"I am going to beg you to get back on Sunday night. I have been very frustrated by all of this, but I've got to tip my hat off to the President, he knows the art of the deal." House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La) said. The duration of this shutdown will hinge on how long it takes for Republicans and Democrats to finalize legislation this week. The House is expected to vote on Monday.