Funding Bill Passed, Partial Shutdown Comes to an End

Washington, DC — President Donald Trump signed a roughly $1.2 trillion spending package into law on February 3, 2026, officially ending a brief partial government shutdown that began over the weekend. The House of Representatives approved the measure in a narrow 217-214 vote earlier in the day, funding most federal agencies through September 30 while providing only a two-week stopgap extension for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amid ongoing disputes over immigration enforcement.

The funding lapse stemmed from a standoff in Congress, triggered by recent high-profile ICE operations and fatal shootings involving federal agents in Minneapolis. The incidents — including the deaths of individuals such as Alex Pretti and another in separate encounters — prompted Democrats to demand new guardrails and restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), such as mandatory body cameras and limits on certain tactics.

The Senate had passed the compromise package last Friday by a wide bipartisan margin (71-29 in some reports), separating DHS funding from five other full-year appropriations bills covering departments like Defense, Health and Human Services, Treasury, Labor, and others. House Republicans, under pressure from President Trump who urged “NO CHANGES” via social media, advanced the bill through a key procedural vote before securing final passage.

President Trump signed the legislation in the Oval Office Tuesday afternoon, with the White House directing agencies to reopen promptly and ensure furloughed employees return to work — many remotely initially — beginning February 4. The bill also secures back pay for affected federal workers during the lapse.

“The partial shutdown is over,” Trump stated following the signing, describing the deal as a “great victory for the American people” while setting the stage for intensified negotiations on DHS funding.

Key Details of the Package

• Full-year funding through September 30 for most agencies (approximately 80-90% of government operations).
• Two-week continuing resolution for DHS, extending current funding levels through February 13 to allow further talks on immigration policy reforms.
• No major spending cuts as initially proposed by some in the administration; the package maintains or adjusts prior levels for non-DHS priorities, including FEMA, TSA, and other critical functions.
• ICE operations remain largely unaffected in the short term, bolstered by separate prior funding from last year’s major reconciliation bill (often referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill”), which allocated billions for border security and enforcement personnel.

The vote reflected deep divisions: 21 Democrats crossed party lines to support the measure, while 21 Republicans opposed it, some pushing for unrelated additions like the SAVE Act (proof-of-citizenship voting requirements). House Speaker Mike Johnson navigated conservative holdouts with Trump’s direct intervention to prevent a longer closure — unlike last year’s record 43-day shutdown.

What’s Next: DHS Funding Battle Looms

With DHS now on a short leash, lawmakers face a February 13 deadline to finalize its full-year appropriation. Democrats seek reforms following the Minneapolis incidents, while Republicans argue that existing funding streams protect enforcement priorities. Failure to reach agreement could trigger another partial lapse focused on homeland security functions.

Federal employees impacted by the weekend shutdown — including at agencies like Labor (where significant furloughs were planned) — are expected to resume normal operations quickly. Markets showed minimal reaction, with the brief lapse avoiding broader economic disruption.

This is a developing story. ClickUSAnews.com will continue to monitor negotiations over DHS funding and any related developments.

Sources: Associated Press

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