US House Ends DHS Shutdown; Immigration Funding Unresolved

The US House has voted to end the 76-day DHS shutdown, the longest ever. Most DHS agencies like TSA and Secret Service are now funded.
By Newsroom | Politics, US News |

The US House of Representatives has approved a bill to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), bringing a close to a protracted shutdown. The measure, which excludes funding for immigration enforcement operations, passed by voice vote on Thursday, effectively ending a shutdown that had stretched for 76 days, the longest in history.

House Passes DHS Funding Bill, Ending Shutdown - 1

The legislation now moves to President Trump for his signature. This vote signifies a split in funding, with most DHS agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Secret Service, secured, while the contentious issue of financing for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) remains unresolved. This approach aims to resolve the immediate operational needs of the department while deferring the more politically charged debates surrounding immigration enforcement policies.

House Passes DHS Funding Bill, Ending Shutdown - 2

Republicans, after initial resistance, ultimately acceded to passing the Senate-backed bill. Speaker Mike Johnson had previously delayed a vote, citing concerns over language that he felt undermined law enforcement. However, he relented after the House passed a budget resolution establishing a pathway for future funding of ICE and CBP, a move that appeased conservative factions.

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Democrats had been steadfast in their refusal to allocate funds for immigration enforcement without accompanying reforms to detention and deportation practices. This stance was partly fueled by public outcry following the deaths of citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, which highlighted concerns about current policies. The passage of the Senate bill, which omits funding for ICE and CBP, therefore aligns with their demand for a separate battleground on these specific immigration enforcement arms.

The shutdown had impacted various government functions, affecting disaster aid and airport security services nationwide. Some employees, particularly within agencies not covered by the current bill, had relied on executive actions to ensure their paychecks. This legislative move aims to restore stability to the majority of DHS operations through September.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did the US House end the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown?
The House voted to approve a bill that funds most of the DHS. This ends the shutdown that lasted 76 days, the longest in history.
Q: What parts of the DHS are funded by the new bill?
The bill provides funding for agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Secret Service. These agencies will have money through September.
Q: What about funding for immigration enforcement?
Funding for immigration enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is not included in this bill. This money will be debated separately later.
Q: Who was affected by the shutdown?
The shutdown affected many government services, including disaster aid and airport security. Some employees had to rely on special actions to get paid.
Q: Why was the shutdown so long?
The shutdown lasted 76 days because the House and Senate disagreed on funding for immigration enforcement. Democrats wanted reforms before funding, and Republicans had concerns about law enforcement language.