Congress deploys competing strategies to address shutdown funding gaps
Congress and the administration pursue separate shutdown response measures addressing immediate operations and policy priorities.
Event / Politics
US Government Shutdown February 2025
The Senate adopted a $70 billion budget resolution to fund ICE and Border Patrol for three years using reconciliation, advancing Republican efforts to reopen the Department of Homeland Security. The shutdown, which began mid-February, resulted from Democratic demands for policy restrictions on immigration enforcement agencies following January fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis. Democrats proposed amendments emphasizing healthcare cost reductions while seeking new restraints on federal immigration authorities.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 24 Apr, 02:07 UTC
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What happened
House Republicans block DHS funding bill that excludes ICE and Border Patrol appropriations
Republican leaders in the House have refused to consider the Senate-passed legislation funding the remainder of the Department of Homeland Security, stating they will not support any DHS bill that does not include funding for ICE and Border Patrol.
Senate adopts $70 billion budget resolution to fund ICE and Border Patrol for three years
The Senate voted 50-48 to adopt a budget resolution early Thursday morning that would allocate $70 billion to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol for three years through the end of President Trump's term. The vote occurred just after 3:30 a.m. following overnight voting that began Wednesday evening.
Trump uses executive orders to temporarily pay some DHS employee salaries during shutdown
President Trump has issued executive orders authorizing payment for some Department of Homeland Security employee salaries while the department remains shut down, though the future sustainability of these paychecks remains uncertain.
Senate bipartisan vote passes legislation to fund remainder of DHS excluding ICE and Border Patrol
In March, the Senate passed by voice vote legislation that would fund the remainder of the Department of Homeland Security, including the Transportation Security Administration, while separating out ICE and Border Patrol funding. However, Republican leaders in the House have refused to consider this bill without concurrent funding for immigration enforcement agencies.
Republicans use budget reconciliation process to bypass filibuster on DHS funding
Republicans employed the budget reconciliation procedure to advance ICE and Border Patrol funding with only a simple majority vote in the Senate, avoiding the standard 60-vote threshold required under filibuster rules. This procedural approach requires Senate parliamentarian review and extended amendment voting phases but allows passage without Democratic support.
Democrats demand restraints on federal immigration enforcement authorities in DHS funding bill
Democrats have stated that any legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security should include new restraints on federal immigration enforcement authorities, including better identification requirements for federal officers, increased use of judicial warrants, and additional oversight measures on ICE and Border Patrol operations.
Federal agents fatally shoot two protesters in Minneapolis in January
Federal agents shot and killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in January. These fatal shootings prompted Democrats to demand policy reforms and changes to immigration enforcement tactics, leading to their insistence that DHS funding legislation include new restrictions on federal immigration authorities.
Department of Homeland Security remains shut down since mid-February over immigration policy dispute
The entire Department of Homeland Security has been closed since mid-February due to disagreements between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats have demanded policy changes to federal immigration enforcement agencies following fatal shootings of two protesters by federal agents in Minneapolis in January. The shutdown has affected multiple agency operations including the Transportation Security Administration.
Senator John Kennedy threatens to block DHS funding vote over omitted priorities
Senator John Kennedy, R-La., briefly delayed Senate amendment votes late Wednesday, objecting to the exclusion of provisions from Trump's SAVE America Act (proof of citizenship voting bill) and other Republican priorities from the budget resolution. He characterized the budget bill as the final legislative opportunity for the year before midterm elections but ultimately withdrew his objection.
Democrats propose amendments to contrast healthcare costs versus immigration enforcement spending
During Senate amendment votes held overnight from Wednesday into Thursday morning, Senate Democrats proposed amendments focused on lowering healthcare expenses and other costs. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated Democrats should prioritize reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs rather than spending hundreds of billions on ICE and Border Patrol.
Senate and House GOP announce two-track approach for DHS funding legislation
During a recess period, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans to pursue a two-track legislative approach: passing Senate-originated DHS funding through regular order while using a party-line reconciliation bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol.
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2 alternative perspectives
Democrats push immigration enforcement limits in shutdown funding talks
Democrats demand limits on DHS immigration enforcement in shutdown funding bill.
Senate advances $70 billion DHS funding through reconciliation process
Senate passes $70 billion DHS funding measure via reconciliation amid ongoing shutdown dispute.