Listen to this articleWhile the US Senate approved government funding on Friday, the House does not return until Monday, which will result in a short-term government funding lapse, officials in Washington said. If the House approves the package as expected early next week, funding would be restored within days, limiting the practical impact of the shutdown on government services, contractors and federal workers. Democrats, meanwhile, have remained united in opposing new DHS funding without changes to immigration enforcement following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis. Their deaths intensified scrutiny of federal agents’ conduct and hardened opposition to approving money for immigration agencies without new guardrails. The remaining bills fund large swaths of the federal government, making the lapse significant if it ends up being prolonged.

Source: Bangkok Post January 31, 2026 07:36 UTC