Trump Signs Bill Ending Government Shutdown, DHS Fight Looms/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump signed a $1.2 trillion bill ending the partial government shutdown. The legislation funds most of the government through September but leaves DHS with only two weeks of funding. Another fierce political battle is brewing over immigration enforcement and ICE policy.
Shutdown Ends, DHS Battle Begins – Quick Looks
- President Trump signed $1.2 trillion government funding bill Tuesday.
- Bill passed House narrowly with 217-214 vote; Trump called it a “great victory.”
- Ends partial federal shutdown that began over the weekend.
- Covers 11 of 12 annual appropriations bills through Sept. 30.
- Department of Homeland Security only funded through Feb. 13.
- Democrats demand tighter limits on immigration enforcement and ICE operations.
- Speaker Mike Johnson calls for good-faith negotiations in next 10 days.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed doubts about swift resolution.
- Johnson barely secured GOP support; 21 Republicans voted no.
- Equal number of Democrats crossed the aisle to help pass the bill.
- Democrats blocked Trump’s proposed spending cuts in the final version.
- Previous fall shutdown lasted 43 days and affected more government services.
- National parks, nutrition programs already funded from earlier appropriations.
- Only 4% of the government remains unfunded, including DHS.
Deep Look: Trump Signs Shutdown-Ending Bill, Sets Stage for Immigration Showdown
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed into law a $1.2 trillion spending package, officially ending a partial government shutdown that began over the weekend. The legislation brings funding certainty to most of the federal government through September 30, but a looming confrontation over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding threatens another possible impasse just weeks away.
Shortly after the House narrowly passed the bill in a 217–214 vote, Trump swiftly signed it, calling the agreement a “great victory for the American people.”
The legislation concludes months of wrangling over 11 of the 12 essential government funding bills. However, Homeland Security was given only a two-week funding extension until February 13, reflecting sharp divisions in Congress over how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should operate in the wake of recent controversies.
DHS Showdown: ICE Policies at Center of New Standoff
Democrats, citing the fatal shootings of two American citizens by federal officers in Minneapolis, are demanding significant reforms to immigration enforcement operations before agreeing to additional DHS funding.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a clear warning:
“We need dramatic change in order to make sure that ICE and other agencies within DHS are conducting themselves like every other law enforcement organization.”
Speaker Mike Johnson responded optimistically, saying there’s room for compromise:
“This is no time to play games with that funding… We hope they will operate in good faith over the next 10 days.”
But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) seemed less hopeful, telling reporters, “There’s always miracles, right?”
A Delicate Vote for a Divided House
Johnson’s victory came at the narrowest of margins. The final tally reflected deep divides within both parties — 21 Republicans voted against the bill, while 21 Democrats voted in favor, ensuring its passage.
The procedural vote before final passage had already proved difficult. GOP leadership had to hold the roll call open for nearly an hour, negotiating with reluctant lawmakers who were pushing unrelated demands.
Trump had intervened a day prior, telling GOP holdouts via Truth Social:
“There can be NO CHANGES at this time.”
That message was seen as pivotal in unifying just enough Republican votes to proceed.
What’s Funded — And What Isn’t
The bill ensures full-year funding for agencies including those overseeing national parks, nutrition programs, and key federal services. Those agencies had already been partially funded in previous legislation, which helped blunt the effects of this most recent shutdown.
The contrast with the record 43-day shutdown from the fall is stark. Then, the dispute centered on pandemic-era Affordable Care Act subsidies, and more government functions were shuttered.
Now, with 96% of the government funded, Johnson noted:
“It’s just 4% what’s out there. But it’s a very important 4%.”
That “4%” is largely the Department of Homeland Security — and it’s where the next battle lies.
Next Steps
Over the next 10 days, lawmakers will attempt to broker a compromise on DHS funding. Key issues include ICE operations, border enforcement, and civilian oversight mechanisms.
Whether the narrowly passed bill signals bipartisan willingness or merely a pause before another standoff remains to be seen. With Trump’s continued involvement, leadership pressure from both parties, and unresolved immigration policy debates, the upcoming fight over DHS promises to be contentious and consequential.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.