White House initiates shutdown process as Congress hopes to keep duration minimal

The Senate on Friday evening approved a spending package that ensures nearly all agencies are funding through fiscal 2026, but the agreement came too late to stave off an appropriations lapse. Parts of the government are poised to shut down at midnight and the White House said it must go through the formal procedures that accompany that outcome, despite a resolution appearing imminent. The House is still in recess and will not return until Monday, meaning funding cannot be restore