On Thursday, the House took a decisive step toward averting a government shutdown by passing critical spending legislation, including a contentious Department of Homeland Security (DHS) bill, with unexpected bipartisan support.
The House approved a standalone DHS funding bill by a vote of 220-207, with seven Democrats crossing party lines to join Republicans, despite opposition from Democratic leadership over insufficient restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
A separate package bundling three other spending bills for departments like War, Education, and Health and Human Services passed overwhelmingly at 341-88, with 149 Democrats in support. These measures, totaling $1.2 trillion, are the last pieces needed to prevent a shutdown by the end of the month, with the Senate expected to act next week.
The debate surrounding the DHS bill has ignited sharp divisions, particularly over ICE operations, with critics arguing that the legislation fails to address recent controversies adequately.
Most House Democrats, led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), opposed the DHS bill, citing inadequate safeguards against what they see as aggressive immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration, Fox News reported. Their frustration was compounded by a tragic incident in Minneapolis involving the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, with Republicans claiming she obstructed operations.
While the bill does mandate body cameras for ICE agents and additional public interaction training, many Democrats dismissed these measures as insufficient to curb potential abuses. It’s hard to argue with the need for accountability, but mandating equipment and training feels like a half-measure when trust in enforcement tactics is at rock bottom.
Jeffries himself didn’t hold back, stating, “Kristi Noem and ICE are out of control.” His words paint a vivid picture of frustration, but they sidestep the reality that funding DHS is non-negotiable to keep borders secure and operations running—hardly the time for ideological purity over practicality.
On the other side, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) hailed the legislative effort as a return to proper appropriations procedure, a sentiment echoed by House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.). Johnson told Fox News Digital, “This is a big thing. We will be making history this week, having moved 12 [appropriations] bills through the process.”
Johnson’s enthusiasm isn’t misplaced—avoiding a massive omnibus or short-term extensions for the first time in nearly 30 years is a win for fiscal discipline. The approach of passing four smaller bundles of two to three bills each, rather than one unwieldy package, shows Congress can still function without kicking the can down the road.
Yet, some conservatives remain unsatisfied, insisting all 12 appropriations bills should stand alone for scrutiny. Their point resonates—transparency shouldn’t be sacrificed for expediency, even if the current method is a step forward.
As the package heads to the Senate next week, passage isn’t a sure bet despite bipartisan input during negotiations. Senate Democrats, including Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), have voiced frustration over the DHS bill’s lack of robust constraints on ICE, with Murphy also noting increased detention funding compared to 2024 levels.
Both Senate Republicans and Democrats, fresh off the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, seem wary of another standoff, having reached a tenuous truce. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has argued that funding offers a chance to check some of Trump’s immigration policies, but dissent within his party could complicate matters.
Murphy’s stance is particularly telling, as he’s signaled he won’t back the package despite being part of the talks. His critique about lacking “meaningful constraints” on ICE raises valid concerns about oversight, but rejecting the bill risks derailing essential DHS functions—hardly a solution when national security is on the line.
The core tension here is clear: ensuring DHS and ICE have the resources to protect the nation while preventing overreach that erodes public trust. The Minneapolis incident with Renee Nicole Good underscores why skepticism of unchecked enforcement lingers, yet defunding or stalling DHS isn’t a realistic answer in a world of complex border challenges.
If the Senate passes this package, it’ll secure funding for the rest of FY 2026, eliminating shutdown threats for now. That stability matters more than ever, even if the bill isn’t perfect. Congress must keep refining oversight without sacrificing the tools needed to maintain order—finding that balance isn’t woke or unwoke, it’s just common sense.
