The U.S. government is on track to begin at least a brief partial shutdown early Saturday morning after a planned Senate vote on a funding deal to keep federal agencies open stalled.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters late Thursday, “This is a bad deal,” as he went into the office of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., according to MS Now.
Graham confirmed he has a so-called hold on the funding package, which effectively blocks it from quick Senate consideration.
Even if the Senate votes on that deal Friday, at least a short shutdown is all but certain because the House of Representatives isn’t scheduled to return to Washington until Monday. Both chambers would be required to vote to approve the spending bills before the package goes to President Donald Trump to sign.
Without a funding deal, a partial shutdown of federal operations will begin at 12:01 a.m. ET Saturday.
