POLITICS: House approves funding package to end partial government shutdown – USSA News

The House of Representatives voted Tuesday to approve a funding package that would end a partial government shutdown that began over the weekend. 

The package funds five of the six remaining departments requiring new appropriations through Sept. 30. The final agency, the Department of Homeland Security, was funded through a two-week stopgap measure that will allow lawmakers to debate new guidelines for immigration enforcement. Democrats have demanded major changes after the fatal shootings of two American citizens by federal agents.

The bill is heading to President Donald Trump’s desk, who said he would sign it. 

The package replaces measures previously passed by the House that funded all programs until Sept. 30. However, Senate Democrats refused to pass the bill as written and worked with Trump and Senate Republicans to remove DHS appropriations as they continue to debate changes. 

After it passed the Senate on Friday, the newly amended bill headed back to the House for approval. However, the House was recessed until Monday, leading to the government partially shutting down on Saturday after funding lapsed just after midnight.

What are the charges Democrats proposed?

Democrats began discussing changing federal immigration enforcement policy after the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minnesota. 

Democratic leaders said they want to “overhaul” Immigration and Customs Enforcement to “ensure the public’s safety.” They proposed ending roving ICE patrols, requiring agents to obtain warrants signed by a judge before forcibly entering private property and implementing accountability provisions.

Those include a ban on ICE officers wearing masks and a requirement that they wear body cameras and proper identification.

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