The U.S. government experienced a partial shutdown early Saturday, even after the Senate had approved a funding agreement just hours prior. The Senate, in a decisive vote of 71-29, has ratified a comprehensive package comprising five bills, alongside a two-week stopgap measure designed to afford lawmakers additional time to resolve ongoing disputes regarding funding for the Department of Homeland Security. However, the House of Representatives is required to cast a vote to ratify the final version of the agreement, and its return to Washington is not slated until Monday. The federal government has commenced what is anticipated to be a brief shutdown, succeeding the unprecedented 43-day shutdown experienced last year. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated during a House GOP conference call earlier Friday afternoon that he intends to support the Senate-passed funding deal, citing President Donald Trump’s endorsement of it, as reported by MS NOW. Johnson expressed optimism regarding the House’s passage of the bill on Monday, as reported. Upon receiving approval from the House, the spending package will be forwarded to Trump for his signature.

Appropriations sanctioned by Congress lapsed on Saturday for legislation financing the Departments of State, Defense, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Education, Housing and Urban Development, along with associated agencies and programs. U.S. Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, in a memo sent Friday, informed federal agency heads that their employees “should report to work for their next regularly scheduled tour of duty to undertake orderly shutdown activities.” Vought wrote “The Administration will continue collaborating with Congress to address recently raised concerns in order to finalize appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026.” He added “It is our hope that this lapse will be short.” The Senate agreement eliminated funding for the Department of Homeland Security while incorporating five additional bills aimed at appropriating funds for various government agencies. The agreement stipulated that DHS, which has faced intense scrutiny from Democrats regarding its stringent immigration enforcement measures in Minnesota, would receive temporary funding through a stopgap provision, with the issue of long-term funding to be addressed at a later date. The agreement encountered delays in the Senate due to several Republican holdouts, hindering lawmakers from expeditiously reviewing the package.

On Friday, South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham declined to remove the hold he imposed on the measure, insisting instead on a “guaranteed vote” regarding his proposal to criminalize what are referred to as sanctuary city policies. Graham sought to establish criminal penalties for state and local officials “who willfully interfere with the enforcement of federal immigration laws.” He also sought an amendment to address the Arctic Frost investigation conducted by former special counsel Jack Smith. The proposed amendment would have mandated that officials inform senators when their phone records are acquired during a criminal investigation.

Last week, the House incorporated provisions in the spending package aimed at repealing legislation that would have permitted senators to file lawsuits for damages up to $500,000 in cases where their phone records were accessed during Arctic Frost. Graham expressed disapproval of House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., regarding the recent action. On Thursday, Trump utilized a post on Truth Social to urge lawmakers to back the agreement designed to finance the majority of the federal government until the conclusion of the fiscal year on September 30. Senate leaders had scheduled a vote on the agreement for Thursday night; however, Graham’s hold disrupted that initiative.