Shutdown Deal

A deal was reached to avert a partial government shutdown, but hurdles remain ahead of tonight’s midnight deadline.

Earlier this week, Senate Democrats vowed to block a six-bill spending package unless the Department of Homeland Security was overhauled to “rein in ICE and the violence.” They proposed reforms to ICE include prohibiting roving patrols and masks, requiring body cameras, and implementing clearer use-of-force rules. 

Last night, President Trump and Senate Minority Leader Schumer (D-NY) reached a deal to keep five of the bills untouched—funding Defense, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Labor and Education through September—while maintaining the current levels of DHS funding for two weeks while negotiations continue.

At least a weekend-long shutdown remains likely, as any changes need to pass the House, which is not scheduled to return to session until next week. 

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
If our hope is based on political negotiations or economic security, then we live in fear because we could lose everything. But if our hope is rooted in the eternal security provided by Christ, then we can weather any storm—even a government shutdown. 

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness… On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.” 
Edward Mote, 1863 (Scriptural basis: Ps 18:2; Matt 7:24; Heb 13:8)

(Wondering what happens when Washington goes dark? Revisit our shallow dive into why the government shuts down, what a “closed” sign on Capitol Hill means for Americans, and how to get things back up and running.)