The U.S. House of Representatives approved a package of spending bills on Thursday to avert a partial government shutdown, though many Democrats opposed the funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid concerns over its tactics. The measure now heads to the Senate for a vote ahead of a January 30 deadline. Objections stemmed from a recent fatal shooting by an ICE officer in Minneapolis and broader criticisms of the agency's enforcement practices.
The House voted 220-207 to pass the final slate of funding measures covering large parts of the federal government, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through September 2026. This action sends the package to the Senate, which is expected to consider it as a group next week. The vote enjoyed broad bipartisan support, except for the DHS bill, where only seven House Democrats joined Republicans in approval.
Democrats' objections centered on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) funding, particularly after an ICE officer shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Macklin Good in Minneapolis earlier this month. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the agency, stating, "ICE is totally out of control using taxpayer dollars to brutalize American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families."
Lawmakers attempted to add restrictions, such as prohibiting ICE from deporting or detaining U.S. citizens, banning excessive force, and barring raids at places of worship, hospitals, and schools. While these efforts failed, the final bill includes new funding for body cameras for ICE officers, increased resources for oversight and de-escalation training, flat ICE funding overall, a $115 million cut to enforcement and removal operations, and reduced detention bed capacity.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), whose district borders Mexico, supported the bill despite its flaws: "This bill is not perfect. However this bill is better than the alternatives of either funding the department under a continuing resolution or shutting down the government."
In contrast, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, voted against it, saying, "We have to deal with what's happened in this country and we cannot turn a blind eye. Make the decision based on where your heart is and what you believe in."
Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the Appropriations Committee chair, accused Democrats of overlooking benefits like funding increases for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Transportation Security Administration, and pay raises for air traffic controllers and Coast Guard members: "You're voting against the people that will help you in a hurricane or a tornado or disaster of some sort. Why in the world should they be penalized?"
This follows a record 43-day government shutdown last fall, which ended with partial funding through September 2026 and a short-term extension to January 30 for the rest. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, plans to vote yes, noting in a statement that a shutdown would not curb administration actions and that Democrats need political power for real accountability.
House members are now heading into a week-long recess due to a forecasted winter storm, leaving the Senate to act before the deadline.
