TLDR
- The House passed a procedural vote 217-215 to advance a government shutdown deal, with a final vote expected this afternoon
- The Senate already approved the funding package 71-29, covering Defense, Labor, and Transportation departments through September
- Democrats opposed the bill over ICE funding concerns following fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis
- The package funds the Department of Homeland Security for only two weeks while lawmakers negotiate a longer-term deal
- President Trump supports the measure, signaling the four-day shutdown will likely end today
The House of Representatives voted Tuesday to advance legislation that would end the current government shutdown. The procedural vote passed 217-215 after nearly an hour of voting.
A final vote on the measure is scheduled for later this afternoon. President Trump has voiced support for the package, indicating the shutdown will likely end on its fourth day.
Narrow Vote Reveals Deep Divisions
The vote revealed divisions within both parties. Democrats unanimously opposed the procedural measure. Only one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, voted against it.
Massie said the spending cuts included in the bill are insufficient. Other Republicans expressed concern about Senate leadership’s handling of a proof of citizenship voting requirement they wanted included.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday he had not decided on bringing the citizenship provision up for a separate vote. Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna announced Monday she would support the package after receiving assurance that a vote on requiring stronger voter identification could pass with a simple majority.
The Senate passed the funding package Friday evening by a vote of 71-29. The legislation provides funding for five appropriations bills. These cover the Defense, Labor, and Transportation departments through the end of September.
The package funds the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks. Lawmakers will work on a longer-term funding deal for that department during this period.
ICE Funding Sparks Democratic Opposition
Democratic opposition centers on funding levels for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency operates within the Department of Homeland Security.
The concerns follow the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal agents. Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Ted Lieu of California said Trump’s ICE is “totally out of control.”
Speaker Mike Johnson apologized for the impasse before Tuesday’s vote. He compared the situation to “Groundhog Day in a way, the bad movie.”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday that agents in Minneapolis will receive body cameras. Agents in other regions will be required to wear them once funding becomes available.
Democrats are demanding additional reforms before agreeing to longer-term DHS funding. They want federal agents to be unmasked when on duty.
Policymakers are set to meet again before DHS funding runs out on February 13. The political battle over DHS policy continues despite the resolution of the current shutdown.
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