The partial government shutdown will continue until at least Tuesday, February 3, according to congressional leaders.
The Senate voted 71-29 on Jan. 30 to pass five more fiscal spending bills for 2026 through the end of this year on Sept. 30 — and the US Department of Homeland Security for two weeks under a continuing resolution — as lawmakers negotiate with the White House and the administration to add changes to that spending department that restrict Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. widespread public outrage, injuries and at least two deaths since mid-January in Minneapolis.
But also caught up in the National Security funding controversy is the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is part of the department.
Lawmakers passed the other six appropriations bills in two batches in November and January, and those measures have since become law.
In an interview on NBC News’ Meet the Press on Feb. 1, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he was “confident” that Republicans will vote to pass the Senate bill before Tuesday and then continue to “negotiate in good faith” with leaders of both parties to be able to fund Homeland Security through the end of the fiscal year, which is another to prevent Sept. 30. turned off He said the GOP is “prepared” to keep the government operational and would accept most of the changes requested by Democrats, noting, however, that some sticking points could slow progress.
But at a news conference following the vote on Jan. 30, Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.) said House Democrats would not vote to fund the department beyond the two-week funding period if the revised bill does not include language requiring ICE agents not to have masks, to wear body cameras; have appropriate warrants before arrests and searches; and stop the roving patrols from working.
“If our colleagues aren’t willing to enact real change, real strong change, they shouldn’t expect Democratic votes. We only have a few days to deliver real progress for the American people. I hope Republicans get serious or learn once again that they won’t have our votes,” Schumer said.
The five non-controversial spending bills, once approved, will fund the departments of Defense, Transportation, Education, Homeland Security Administration, Health and Human Services, Education, State, and Housing and Urban Development.
A key bill of importance to the industry is the $113 billion appropriations package that funds the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development through the end of fiscal year 2026. At the press conference following the vote, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) noted that the introduced bill increases funding for Amtrak, which had been earmarked for investment, and restores zero for the DOT. Subsidy program for public transport and railway projects. The Trump administration had called for the program to be cut by 98 percent from enacted levels by 2025.
“The railings we secured for the [Capital Investment Grant program] are one of several updates we’ve fought for throughout these bills to protect these funds from political interference if Trump and [OMB Director Russell] We tried to steal back from our communities,” said Murray, who chairs the Appropriations Committee.
