The United States government faces another imminent partial shutdown this Thursday, following the decision by Democratic senators to oppose the budget package that would include funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
This decision adds pressure on President Donald Trump, who already faces opposition to his immigration policies even within his own party, and another government shutdown could further complicate the already unstable economic situation.
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US Government Prepares for Partial Shutdown
The final straw was the controversy generated after the killing last Saturday of 37-year-old US citizen Alex Pretti, fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, the epicenter of the major controversy surrounding the Trump administration’s repressive immigration policies.
Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader in the Senate (which, like the House of Representatives, is controlled by Republicans), confirmed that his caucus will not provide the 60 votes needed to pass the six appropriations bills unless the section on DHS is removed.
“This is not a law and order situation. This is chaos,” warned Schumer, who presented a list of demands to change the detention tactics and use of force by federal agents.
Democrats intend to create a mandatory code of conduct for immigration agents and require the use of body cameras, among other demands.
If an agreement is not reached before midnight on January 30, a partial government shutdown would halt operations in departments such as Defense, Health, Education, Transportation, Treasury, and State, as well as other federal agencies.
The United States experienced, beginning on October 1, 2015, and lasting for 43 days, the longest government shutdown in national history. Federal employees did not receive their salaries, many public services were disrupted, and voters received yet another reminder of Washington’s dysfunction, as highlighted by local media.
