The House recently passed a spending package to avoid a short-term government shutdown and keep most federal agencies funded through the end of the fiscal year. This deal includes a two-week resolution for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and was approved by the Senate last Friday. On Tuesday, President Trump signed it into law.
This temporary funding allows more time for lawmakers to discuss regulations on immigration enforcement after recent deaths associated with enforcement actions. The spending package also ensures federal employees who were furloughed during the shutdown will receive back pay.
However, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has updated its guidance, stating that Congress will ultimately decide on back pay for furloughed workers once funding issues are resolved. Most affected employees were informed about their furlough status and were given limited time to manage shutdown tasks.
This package covers the majority of the federal government, but it wasn’t without contention. The House passed the deal narrowly, with a vote of 217 to 214. All Democrats opposed bringing the bill to a final vote, while House Republicans pushed their members to support it. The budget for the Department of Homeland Security represents about 80% of non-immigration priorities like funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Transportation Security Administration.
In a recent press conference, House Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted that funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been secure for years, thanks to previous legislation. The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act allocated $165 billion to DHS over the next decade, aimed mostly at border security and immigration enforcement.
Johnson expressed concerns that another shutdown would disrupt vital services like FEMA and TSA, which are essential for disaster response and airport operations. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole stated that Americans expect stability and support from Congress, emphasizing the importance of passing this funding deal.
On the other side, Democrats are calling for stricter measures on immigration enforcement following two tragic shootings involving Border Patrol agents. They are seeking protections against broad patrols and want to ensure ICE personnel cannot enter homes without warrants. House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro noted that the two-week funding allows lawmakers to demand accountability for enforcement abuses.
The spending package does cut overall discretionary spending but mainly rebuffs Trump’s request for extensive cuts across agencies. A notable exception is a decision to rescind $11.6 billion allocated for IRS modernization, reducing its overall funding to $26 billion available through 2031.
As federal employees brace for upcoming changes, the focus remains on ensuring all government functions run smoothly while responsibly managing taxpayer dollars.
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