WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (KUNA) -- The United States has partially shut down despite the Senate's passage of a government funding bill covering the remainder of the current fiscal year, except for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The partial shutdown is due to the House of Representatives being in recess until next Monday, meaning the shutdown is expected to last at least two days. Its impact, however, is expected to be minimal, as it falls on the weekend.
The Senate approved funding for federal departments and agencies that had not yet received full-year appropriations, excluding DHS, amid ongoing disputes over immigration operations during which two US citizens were killed in the state of Minnesota.
The Department of Homeland Security will instead receive a temporary two-week funding extension, pending further negotiations between Republicans and Democrats, as disagreements intensify over the department's handling of immigration issues.
The budget legislation must still secure approval by a majority in the House of Representatives before being sent to President Donald Trump for signature.
The US experienced its longest government shutdown last autumn, which lasted more than 40 days and had significant economic repercussions, including a slowdown in national economic growth. (end) sns.aa