House GOP Moves to End Shutdown as Funding Vote Nears

By Blessing Nweke

House Republican leaders plan to vote Tuesday on a government funding package already approved by the Senate, three days after a partial shutdown began. Funding lapsed Saturday amid sharp divisions in Congress over proposed changes to the Department of Homeland Security following the killing of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., delayed the vote by one day, saying Democrats indicated they would not provide enough support to bypass procedural hurdles. “I think we’ll get it done by tomorrow,” Johnson said Monday.

Momentum for the bill improved after President Donald Trump publicly endorsed it and a key House Democrat signaled support. If Republicans hold together on the procedural rule to bring the measure to the floor, the bill is expected to pass.

“We need to get the Government open,” Trump wrote on social media, urging lawmakers to approve the measure “WITHOUT DELAY” and warning that no changes can be made at this stage.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., declined to say how he will vote, noting divisions within the Democratic caucus. “There was a diversity of perspectives about how to move forward on this particular bill,” Jeffries said.

The legislation passed the Senate 71–29 and would fund most federal agencies at more than $1 trillion through Sept. 30. DHS, however, would receive only a two-week stopgap extension as Democrats push for guardrails on immigration enforcement.

Senior House Democrats remain split. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi led a letter urging colleagues to oppose the bill, arguing Congress must first impose safeguards on ICE and CBP. In contrast, Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut said she would support the package, calling the short-term DHS funding a way to gain leverage for reforms.

With Republicans holding a slim 218–214 majority after a recent special election, Johnson can afford little dissent. The next deadline, Feb. 13, to fully fund DHS is expected to trigger tougher negotiations over immigration policy and enforcement standards.