The House voted Thursday to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) but excluded immigration enforcement operations, sending the bipartisan package to President Donald Trump for signature. This move ends the longest agency shutdown in history, which began on February 14. The White House had warned that temporary funding used to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel and other DHS employees would soon run out, potentially causing widespread airport disruptions.
Funding Struggles and Political Standoff
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, expressed frustration with the delays, stating,
‘It is about damn time.’The House passed the bill by voice vote, avoiding a formal roll call. The standoff began months ago after Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis sparked a debate over funding for ICE and Border Patrol operations. Democrats refused to fund these agencies without significant changes, following fatal shootings by federal agents during protests against immigration actions.
Republicans Push Forward with Immigration Funding
Republicans opted to address immigration enforcement funding separately through budget reconciliation, a process that could take weeks. House Republicans also adopted a budget resolution focused on providing $70 billion for immigration enforcement and deportations for the remainder of Trump’s term, ensuring Democrats cannot block these funds. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) acknowledged criticizing the bill previously but supported it after the new budget process began.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) criticized the separation of immigration funding, calling it
‘offensive to the men and women who serve in ICE and Border Patrol.’The White House had urged Congress to act quickly, warning that DHS would soon exhaust critical operating funds. Over 1,000 TSA officers have quit since the shutdown began, according to Airlines for America, emphasizing the need for stable funding.