House Gridlock: Showdown in the U.S. Capitol

The U.S. House of Representatives faces challenges in advancing a spending bill to terminate the government shutdown. The bill, opposed by two Republicans, aims to fund various sectors temporarily. The standoff could affect government services and the economy if unresolved swiftly.

The U.S. House of Representatives encountered difficulties on Tuesday in moving forward with a spending bill intended to end a government shutdown, as two Republicans sided with Democrats against it in a procedural vote.

The proposed legislation seeks to allocate funds for defense, healthcare, labor, education, housing, and other sectors until October. It also intends to temporarily extend funding for the Department of Homeland Security while negotiations continue over potential changes to immigration enforcement. While the Senate had passed the measure with broad bipartisan support, and it had the endorsement of President Donald Trump, House Republicans struggled to secure enough backing, with the procedural vote stuck at 215 in favor and 216 opposed.

Democrats are pushing for new limitations on President Trump's stringent immigration enforcement measures following the deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of federal agents. With a slim Republican majority in the House, a swift resolution is vital to prevent widespread disruption to government operations and the economy, particularly after the previous record-setting 43-day shutdown.

(With inputs from agencies.)