US Ends Record DHS Shutdown after Trump Signs Funding Deal
President Donald Trump has enacted a law that finances a large portion of the Department of Homeland Security, excluding its immigration enforcement activities, bringing an end to the longest agency shutdown ever.
The White House cautioned that the temporary funds Trump utilized to compensate Transportation Security Administration and other agency staff would "soon deplete," leading to fresh threats of delays for travelers at airports. Since February 14, DHS has lacked regular funding, creating difficulties for employees, although much of Trump's immigration plan, central to the conflict, is funded separately.
"It is about time," remarked Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the leading Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, who introduced the bill over 70 days prior.
The House quickly approved the measure by voice earlier Thursday, bypassing a formal roll call. It quickly concluded the standoff that started months prior after Trump's lethal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis initiated a reckoning on Capitol Hill regarding the funds being allocated to support the president's agenda.
Congress is acting as DHS faces significant criticism following Trump's removal of Kristi Noem as the department's head, replacing her with Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin during the shutdown. The agency has approximately 260,000 workers, including those in TSA, the Coast Guard, FEMA, and various other functions.
Numerous employees faced ongoing distress from possible furloughs and delayed paychecks in May as the legislative gridlock continued. This closure occurred immediately after last year's widespread government shutdown, which had already broken a record at 43 days. Numerous workers have faced difficulties with expenses or just left their positions.
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Following the deadly shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents amidst protests against immigration policies in Minneapolis, Democrats declined to allocate funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol unless those operations were revised.
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Meanwhile, Republicans opposed a proposal put forward by Democrats to finance the TSA and other DHS sections without allocating funds for ICE and Border Patrol. They maintained that immigration efforts should not be eliminated.
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Following the escalation of the shutdown, characterized by lengthy lines at airport security, the Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan package during a late-night vote a month prior. Subsequently, the bill stalled within the House.