After lawmakers narrowly pushed legislation through the House earlier in the day, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping funding measure Tuesday evening, ending a partial federal government shutdown that had stretched into its fourth day.
The legislation restores operations across most federal agencies and sends furloughed workers back to their jobs, while setting up another confrontation over immigration enforcement and Department of Homeland Security funding later this month.
“Very important day,” Trump said as he signed the bill in the Oval Office, calling the measure a victory for the country and praising what he described as spending restraint paired with continued support for federal priorities.
The House approved the funding package by a 217 to 214 vote after hours of maneuvering by Republican leaders to secure enough support to advance the legislation. The package funds five federal departments through the end of the fiscal year, including Defense, Education, Treasury, Labor and State, while extending funding for the Department of Homeland Security only through Feb. 13. That short extension leaves unresolved Democratic demands for changes to immigration enforcement practices, including accountability measures for federal agents.
Democratic leaders opposed the overall agreement despite backing most of the full-year funding bills, arguing that DHS operations require tighter oversight following recent enforcement actions and fatal encounters involving federal agents. Republicans responded that delaying DHS funding could disrupt essential services unrelated to immigration enforcement, including disaster response and airport security, even as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection continue operating with previously approved funds.
Following Trump’s signature, the Office of Management and Budget directed agencies to reopen immediately, instructing furloughed employees to resume work and return to their duty stations. The shutdown, which began after appropriations lapsed over the weekend, halted a range of government services and intensified disputes over immigration enforcement and congressional oversight.
Sen. Patty Murray of Washington (D) said future funding votes will depend on changes at DHS.
“We’re going to have accountability at DHS,” Murray said, “or there will not be Democratic votes to fund a lawless agency.”