Several U.S. government departments experienced funding lapses over the weekend, marking a significant standoff in Congress. The impasse revolves around new restrictions on federal agents involved in the mass deportation campaign initiated by Donald Trump, particularly following the killings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.

The partial government shutdown ensued after Democratic senators refused to approve a bill intended to authorize continued spending by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This decision came in light of recent incidents involving federal agents, including the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, amid increased immigration operations mandated by Trump.

On Friday, the Senate passed a package of measures aimed at funding government departments through September. This included a bill for continued DHS operations for an additional two weeks. However, for these measures to take effect, they must receive approval from the House of Representatives, which is set to reconvene on Monday.

The immediate impact of the shutdown is still unclear and may not be felt until the upcoming business day. Apart from the Department of Homeland Security, Congress has yet to finalize appropriations for various other essential departments, including defense, education, labor, health and human services, transportation, and housing and urban development. Trump has indicated he would approve the spending package once it reaches his desk, as it has the backing of his administration.

In a memo released on Friday, Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), instructed affected agencies to prepare for an “orderly shutdown.” He expressed hope that this funding lapse would be brief while acknowledging ongoing concerns requiring congressional attention.

Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the party’s demands for changes in the DHS funding bill, including a ban on officers wearing masks, requirements for body cameras, and adherence to a stricter code of conduct. Schumer advocates for independent investigations into alleged violations and restrictions on “roving patrols,” which target individuals suspected of unlawful residency.

“These are not radical demands; they are basic standards the American people already expect from law enforcement,” Schumer stated on Friday.

Negotiations regarding these modifications are anticipated to continue over the next two weeks. However, the overall prospects for the broader funding package in the Republican-controlled House remain uncertain. Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged that a “short shutdown situation” could be possible before the House convenes on Monday, expressing a shared desire to get the government funded.

Republicans hold a slim majority in the House, making coordination challenging. Right-wing lawmakers have recently pushed for the appropriations bill to pair with the Save Act, which would impose voter identification requirements criticized for potentially disenfranchising many Americans. This insistence could complicate the measures’ progress in the lower chamber.

Despite the funding lapse, ICE’s deportation operations are expected to continue. The agency received $75 billion from legislation passed last year, which could sustain its activities during the shutdown. Furthermore, the Trump administration could direct employees to continue working under these circumstances.

This partial government shutdown follows a previous record-setting 43-day funding lapse that began in October. During that time, Democrats insisted on pairing any government funding measures with an extension of tax credits designed to lower premiums for Affordable Care Act health plans. Ultimately, a coalition of moderate Democratic senators joined with Republicans to reopen the government, but the promised vote on tax credit measures was later blocked, leading to the expiration of the subsidies at the end of 2025.