The last time the federal government faced a shutdown, it lasted a record 43 days. This one, which was just a partial shutdown that started Saturday, lasted about four days.
It ended Tuesday when the U.S. House of Representatives approved a spending package of more than $1 trillion. The legislation passed the House by a three-point margin, 217 to 214, with 21 Democrats joining Republicans in support. The Senate had passed the package on Friday. It will now go for signature by President Donald Trump, who has endorsed the plan.
The measure funds several of the government’s largest departments through the end of the fiscal year in September, according to reports from multiple outlets, including NPR. Agencies funded by the package include the Pentagon, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Transportation, the Education Department and Housing and Urban Development.
Also included: A stopgap measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 13. According to the NPR report, lawmakers hope to use that 10-day window to negotiate changes to federal immigration enforcement in the wake of the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last month. Reports are that Democrats are calling for several reforms, including body-worn cameras, forbidding officers from hiding their identities and requiring judicial warrants for enforcement operations.
While there is bipartisan support for the body cameras, Republicans are resisting other Democratic demands, signaling a difficult stretch ahead for negotiations.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and other top Republicans have already signaled that another short-term homeland security bill will be needed. Even without another stopgap measure, President Trump’s immigration crackdown will continue.
Congress gave Immigration and Customs Enforcement $75 billion over four years in the Republican tax and spending bill passed last year.
