Congress reaches tentative spending deal though it may be too late to avert government shutdown [Video]

Congressional leaders are understood to have reached a tentative spending deal to bankroll the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) late on Monday – passing a sticking point that should enable negotiators to process the remaining funding bills and avert a partial government shutdown later this week.

As it stands, funding is set to expire on Saturday morning for the departments of Homeland Security, State, Defense, Labour and Health and Human Services.

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the agreement on Tuesday morning.

“An agreement has been reached for DHS appropriations, which will allow completion of the FY24 appropriations process,” Mr Johnson said. “House and Senate committees have begun drafting bill text to be prepared for release and consideration by the full House and Senate as soon as possible.”

The spending bills will keep the government open until Fiscal Year 2024 ends on …