U.S. House Passes $1.2T Spending Bill, Ending Partial Government Shutdown

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a $1.2 trillion federal spending package, bringing a four-day partial government shutdown to an end.

The legislation now moves to President Donald Trump, who has stated he intends to sign it into law without delay.

What the Package Does

• Broad Funding Restoration:
  The package funds five full-year appropriations bills, covering roughly 97% of federal government operations through September 30, 2026.
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Short Term Extension:
  Rather than fully funding DHS for the year, the bill includes a 10-day stopgap extension, keeping DHS operating through February 13, 2026 while immigration enforcement issues remain under negotiation.
• Close Vote:
  The spending measure passed by a narrow 217–214 bipartisan margin, reflecting ongoing political divisions.
• Immediate Impact:
  The shutdown, which began on January 31, had furloughed thousands of federal workers and threatened delays in key economic releases, including the upcoming jobs report. Those disruptions will now be reversed as agencies reopen.

Why the Shutdown Happened

The shutdown stemmed largely from a stalemate over immigration enforcement policy, specifically in the wake of fatal shootings involving federal agents in Minnesota.

• Democratic Demands:
  Lawmakers from the Democratic side pushed for new restrictions on agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Democratic priorities included measures such as:
• Requiring agents to wear body cameras during enforcement operations.
• Preventing agents from remaining masked while executing field activities.
• Negotiations on DHS Funding:
  These unresolved policy disputes were the key reason DHS did not receive full-year funding in the package and instead was given a short extension.

What Happens Next

With the measure headed to the president’s desk and expected to be signed swiftly, federal operations should return to normal, and furloughed workers will begin returning. Lawmakers now face continued debate over DHS policies during the brief stopgap window before mid-February.

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