Congress passes DHS funding bill to end 11-week shutdown, excluding immigration agencies
The legislative impasse, rooted in disputes over immigration enforcement reforms, has left federal workers unpaid and services disrupted
The United States House of Representatives has passed a Senate-approved bill to restore funding for the Department of Homeland Security, effectively ending an 11-week partial government shutdown. Adopted by voice vote on Thursday, the measure sends the legislation to President Donald Trump's desk for final approval. While the bill secures resources for agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, it explicitly excludes Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection from the current funding package.
The legislative deadlock originated from Democratic demands for reforms within immigration enforcement agencies, triggered by the killing of two US citizens during a federal crackdown in Minnesota in January. Following the incident, Democratic leaders issued a list of conditions on February 4, including bans on racial profiling and restrictions on raids at sensitive locations. Republicans rejected these demands as unreasonable, leading to a stalemate that prevented the passage of a comprehensive budget bill despite Republican control of both chambers.
House Speaker Mike Johnson initially opposed the funding measure due to the exclusion of ICE and CBP. However, he eventually brought the proposal to a vote after President Trump voiced his support for the legislation. This shift allowed the House to bypass the Senate filibuster rule, which typically requires a 60-vote threshold for major legislation, by utilizing the budget reconciliation process to secure funding for the remaining DHS components.
The prolonged shutdown has resulted in significant operational constraints across federal departments. Transportation Security Administration agents have reported working unpaid shifts, contributing to long lines at airports, while concerns have been raised regarding potential disruptions to FEMA's ability to respond to natural disasters. The exclusion of ICE and CBP, which reportedly have ample funding through previously approved laws, has further complicated the administrative landscape for the department.
Democratic congresswoman Zoe Lofgren welcomed the passage of the bill for providing funds to law-abiding agencies but emphasised that the work is not yet complete. She stated that Congress must now focus on reining in ICE and CBP and holding them to the same standards applied to other law enforcement officers. Her comments highlight the ongoing tension between restoring government operations and addressing the policy disputes that precipitated the shutdown in the first place.
As the measure moves toward the presidency, Republican senators are attempting to secure funding for the excluded immigration agencies through the complex budget reconciliation process. Meanwhile, President Trump has called for the abolition of the Senate filibuster, a move described as a risky manoeuvre that could alter the legislative balance if Democrats were to regain control of the chamber in future elections.
