US media: Trump and Democrats reach agreement on funding issues to avoid government shutdown

PANews reported on January 30th, citing NBC News, that five sources familiar with the matter revealed that US President Trump and Senate Democrats reached an agreement on Thursday to avoid a prolonged shutdown of most federal government departments. This move aims to ease the intense battle surrounding the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This funding dispute reached a fever pitch after two US citizens were shot and killed by law enforcement officers in Minneapolis. While funding for several agencies will be temporarily suspended starting at 00:01 local time on Saturday, the impact is expected to be minimal, as most federal employees do not work over the weekend. The Senate may vote on the appropriations agreement as early as Thursday evening. The House of Representatives will return to Washington on Monday, where it will need to pass the bill and send it to President Trump for his signature.