The US House of Representatives voted 217-214 on Tuesday (February 3) to pass a government funding package, effectively ending a brief federal government shutdown that began on Saturday (January 31). The legislation now moves to President Donald Trump, who has said he will sign it “immediately.”
The broad spending bill funds 11 of the 12 annual appropriations bills through September 30, ensuring most federal agencies continue operating for the full fiscal year.
The only exception is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is funded on a temporary basis through February 13 to allow further negotiations on immigration enforcement policies.
Temporary DHS funding to allow negotiation
The DHS funding provision was separated from the larger package amid intense debate over immigration enforcement reforms. House lawmakers agreed to a two-week extension for DHS funding, setting up a frantic 10-day window for Congress to negotiate a broader agreement on DHS and immigration policy before the new February 13 deadline.
The limited extension reflects a compromise reached after Democrats refused to support full-year DHS funding without changes to policies governing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), particularly following widespread criticism of federal immigration enforcement after two US citizens were fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis.
