House Approves Spending Bill To End Partial Government Shutdown
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 217-214 on Tuesday to pass a $1.2 trillion spending package, effectively ending the partial government shutdown that began over the weekend. The legislation secures funding for the majority of federal agencies, including the Pentagon, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services, through the end of the fiscal year on September 30. However, the deal includes a short-term continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security, funding it only through February 13 to allow for further negotiations.
Objections to the bill were voiced from both sides of the aisle, resulting in a narrow passage. Many Democrats voted against the measure, arguing that the short-term funding for Homeland Security fails to implement necessary guardrails on immigration enforcement. Specific concerns were raised regarding the operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with lawmakers demanding reforms such as mandatory body-worn cameras and stricter warrant requirements. Conversely, a group of conservative Republicans opposed the package, citing dissatisfaction with the overall spending levels and the reliance on Democratic votes to clear the procedural hurdles.
The passage of this bill resolves a four-day funding lapse that disrupted operations across several government sectors. Speaker Mike Johnson navigated the contentious vote by securing support from a coalition of Republicans and 21 Democrats. The Senate previously approved the agreement, and President Donald Trump has signaled his intention to sign the legislation immediately. Congress now faces a tight ten-day deadline to resolve the lingering disputes over border security and immigration policy before the Department of Homeland Security’s temporary funding expires.
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