House Democrats Reject Schumer’s Spending Deal, Threatening Extended Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Democrats are set to defy Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s recent agreement with the White House on federal government funding, raising the prospect of a prolonged partial government shutdown. The standoff centers on disagreements over the allocation of funds for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a critical component of the annual budget negotiations.
The impasse emerged after Schumer, representing Senate Democrats, brokered a deal with the White House aimed at funding the government and addressing contentious DHS spending issues. However, the deal has failed to gain traction among House Democrats, who expressed concerns about the specifics of the agreement, particularly regarding immigration enforcement and DHS priorities.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., communicated to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., that the Republican plan to fast-track the legislation would not succeed, according to multiple House GOP sources. This resistance means Speaker Johnson must rely on his slim Republican majority to navigate the bill through procedural hurdles, with a final vote unlikely before Tuesday.
The federal government entered a partial shutdown early Saturday morning after Congress missed the Jan. 30 deadline to pass a comprehensive spending bill. The shutdown affects various federal operations and has heightened tensions among lawmakers.
Conservative members of the House GOP have also expressed skepticism about the Senate deal, viewing it as a “non-starter” due to perceived compromises on DHS funding. Meanwhile, Democrats remain divided over the balance between funding border security and implementing reforms demanded by progressive factions within the party.
The ongoing standoff underscores the fragile nature of bipartisan negotiations in a deeply divided Congress. The U.S. House of Representatives faces mounting pressure to reach a consensus to restore full government operations.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate continues to urge swift action, with Schumer advocating for the passage of the deal to prevent further disruption. The White House has also emphasized the urgency of ending the shutdown, warning of the economic and operational consequences of prolonged federal funding gaps.
As the deadline looms, the fate of DHS funding remains a focal point. The department oversees critical agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Transportation Security Administration, whose operations are vital to national security and public safety.
With negotiations stalled, federal employees and services remain in limbo, highlighting the real-world impact of political discord. The coming days will be crucial as lawmakers attempt to bridge their differences and restore government functionality.
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