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The transportation bill passed by the U.S House last week appears likely to be tied up with funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which could lead to a limited government shutdown by the end of the week.
The transportation bill is one of six that have not been passed yet, all of which have been combined in a six-bill package that the Senate was expected to vote on and approve this week. However, that was before federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minn., on January 24, during immigration enforcement efforts.
After the shooting, many Senate democrats said they would block funding for DHS, which includes Immigration & Customs Enforcement, unless new accountability measures were put in place.
Unlike last fall, this shutdown would only be a partial one as six earlier bills have passed, providing funding for key agencies including the departments of Commerce, Energy and Agriculture.
With the exception of the DHS funding, the bills have significant bipartisan support. Democratic leaders have urged Republican Senate leadership to separate the six bills so that the five other departments — including Transportation — can be funded. Because the bills were sent to the Senate by the House as one package, separating them would require additional votes in the Senate, and so far, Republican leadership have said they will not break them up. Changes to the bills could then require additional action by the House and several House Republicans have said they will not vote for a funding package that doesn’t include DHS funding.
The government is funded through January 30, so any shutdown could begin as early as 12:01 a.m. January 31.