House Passes DHS Funding Bill Excluding Border Patrol and ICE, Paving Way to End Shutdown

*TL;DR: The House approved a Department of Homeland Security funding bill that funds most agencies but excludes Border Patrol and ICE, clearing a major hurdle to end the 10‑week shutdown.*

Context The federal government has been shut down for ten weeks, the longest in modern history. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ran out, forcing many employees to work without pay. Pressure mounted from the White House, Senate and rank‑and‑file Republicans to restore at least the core functions of the department.

Key Facts - The House passed the bill by voice vote after a brief debate under suspension of the rules, a procedure that limits debate and requires a two‑thirds majority. - The legislation funds the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Coast Guard, Secret Service and other critical DHS components through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year. - Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) receive no money in this package; Republicans plan to fund those agencies separately through a three‑year reconciliation bill, a process that bypasses the Senate filibuster. - Speaker Mike Johnson said the chamber delayed the homeland funding bill to protect essential agencies, passed the budget resolution first, and now can move forward with the rest of the funding. - Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other GOP leaders urged the House to act quickly after the “skinny” budget blueprint for immigration enforcement cleared a procedural hurdle. - House Freedom Caucus members, including Rep. Chip Roy, expressed relief that the budget passed, noting it clears the path for the reconciliation effort.

What It Means Funding for TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard and the Secret Service will resume, allowing airport screenings, disaster response, maritime security and protection of national leaders to operate normally. However, Border Patrol and ICE remain unfunded, leaving immigration enforcement in limbo and likely to become the next flashpoint in Congress. The separate reconciliation effort will test GOP unity and could reignite partisan battles over border security.

Looking Ahead Watch for the Senate’s response to the House bill and the progress of the reconciliation measure that aims to fund Border Patrol and ICE for the next three years.