The House of Representatives voted Tuesday to end a four-day partial government shutdown, approving a funding package that restores operations for most federal agencies while extending short-term funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The bill passed by a narrow 217–214 vote and will now head to President Trump’s desk. Although the measure cleared the House, it did so with unusual voting patterns from both parties. Twenty-one Republicans voted against the package, while only 21 Democrats supported it. Democratic leadership voted no.
The legislation will end a shutdown that began Saturday after funding lapsed for several agencies. The package includes a “minibus” of five full-year appropriations bills and provides DHS funding through Feb. 13, giving lawmakers 10 additional days to negotiate a longer-term agreement for the department.
Under the bill, funding through Sept. 30 — the end of the fiscal year — is secured for the departments of Energy, Defense, Treasury, State, Labor, Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Education. It also covers the judicial branch and several independent agencies.
The House had previously passed all six funding bills in January, but the Senate did not take them up after Democrats objected to federal immigration enforcement practices following the killing of Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti last month. Those objections ultimately led to a partial shutdown and forced renewed negotiations.
Last week, Senate negotiations prompted Republicans and congressional appropriators to abandon plans for a full six-bill minibus. Talks between the White House and top Senate Democrats resulted in the scaled-back agreement that cleared the House on Tuesday.
Before final passage, House Republican leaders faced internal resistance during a key procedural vote needed to advance the bill. Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to negotiate with several GOP holdouts to secure enough support to pass the rule governing debate.
One of those holdouts was Rep. John Rose of Tennessee, who initially voted against the rule after claiming Senate Majority Leader John Thune had promised a vote on the SAVE Act, legislation that would require voter identification and proof of citizenship for voter registration. Thune later said he had made no such promise, though he indicated he would discuss the matter with lawmakers.
Rose ultimately changed his vote, though it remained unclear what concessions, if any, were made. When asked whether progress had been made, Rose said, “I think so,” adding that there was “a promise of progress to come” and that his concerns had been addressed.
Johnson later suggested Rose’s initial opposition was influenced by political considerations, noting that Rose is running in a competitive Republican primary for Tennessee governor against Sen. Marsha Blackburn.
While the procedural hurdle was cleared, larger challenges remain. Lawmakers now face a Feb. 13 deadline to reach a longer-term DHS funding deal. House Democrats outlined a series of demands tied to immigration enforcement, including tighter warrant requirements, restrictions on mask-wearing by ICE and Border Patrol agents, independent investigations, and clearer use-of-force guidelines.
Johnson has already rejected some of those proposals, particularly changes related to judicial warrants. “Adding a whole new layer of judicial warrant requirements is an unworkable proposal,” he said, arguing that proponents of the idea understand its limitations.
