White House, Senate leaders near deal to avoid government shutdown

WASHINGTON (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The White House and Senate leaders are moving closer to a deal aimed at preventing a government shutdown, according to several sources familiar with the negotiations.

Sources say lawmakers are working to resolve final sticking points in eleventh-hour talks ahead of Friday’s funding deadline.

According to those involved in the discussions, the White House is moving closer to Democratic demands to split funding for the Department of Homeland Security from a broader government funding package.

That move would give Democrats additional time to negotiate new policy measures related to the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents across the country.

Under the proposed deal, funding for most federal agencies would be extended through the end of September. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security, however, would only be temporarily extended.

Negotiations are ongoing as leaders work to finalize an agreement before the deadline.