Government Shutdown Day 3: Johnson relying on Trump as House prepares to vote on funding bill
Share this @internewscast.com


In the wake of public uproar following two fatal shootings in Minneapolis last month, former President Donald Trump reached an agreement with senators to decouple funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from a larger spending package. This move aims to quell tensions and address the heated debate surrounding immigration enforcement.

WASHINGTON — As the nation’s capital remains at the center of attention, House leaders are under increasing pressure to pass a federal funding package that could bring an end to a prolonged government shutdown. The debates are particularly charged due to the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on immigration enforcement.

In an effort to avert a government shutdown, the Senate recently approved a short-term funding package, but with the House adjourned until Monday, the federal government began its shutdown over the weekend. This marked the first two days of a government shutdown, further heightening tensions.

As the shutdown drags into its third day, with federal workers expecting to return to their offices, House Speaker Mike Johnson confronts a formidable task. He must navigate the deeply divided House to pass the funding package and prevent a protracted partial shutdown.

To achieve this, Johnson is reportedly counting on assistance from former President Trump. Trump’s deal with senators temporarily funds the DHS until February 13, offering a temporary reprieve while setting the stage for Congress to negotiate new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

Trump struck a deal with senators to separate funding for the Department of Homeland Security from a broader package after public outrage over two shooting deaths during protests in Minneapolis against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under the plan approved by the Senate, DHS would be funded temporarily to Feb. 13, setting up a deadline for Congress to try to find consensus on new restrictions on ICE operations.

“The president is leading this,” Johnson, R-La., told “Fox News Sunday.”

“It’s his play call to do it this way,” the speaker said, adding that the Republican president has “already conceded that he wants to turn down the volume” on federal immigration sweeps and raids.

A first test will come Monday afternoon during a committee meeting when Johnson will need his own GOP majority to advance the package after Democrats refused to provide the votes for speedy consideration. Johnson said he is hopeful work can wrap up for a full House vote, at least by Tuesday.

Democrats dig in on ICE changes

Democrats are demanding restraints on ICE that go beyond $20 million for body cameras that already is in the bill and want to require that federal immigration agents unmask and identify themselves and are pressing for an end to roving patrols, amid other changes.

“What is clear is that the Department of Homeland Security needs to be dramatically reformed,” said House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York on ABC’s “This Week.”

Jeffries said the administration needs to begin negotiations now, not over the next two weeks, on changes to immigration enforcement operations.

“Masks should come off,” he said. “Judicial warrants should absolutely be required consistent with the Constitution, in our view, before DHS agents or ICE agents are breaking into the homes of the American people or ripping people out of their cars.”

Republicans make their own demands

At the same time, House Republicans, with some allies in the Senate, are making their own demands, as they work to support Trump’s clamp down on immigrants in the U.S.

The House Freedom Caucus has insisted on fuller funding for Homeland Security while certain Republicans are pushing to include other measures, including the SAVE Act, a longshot Trump priority that would require proof of citizenship before Americans are eligible to participate in elections and vote.

Johnson said he would be talking to lawmakers over the day ahead to see what it will take to win over support.

Workers without pay if partial government shutdown drags on

Meanwhile, a number of federal agencies are snared in the funding standoff as the government went into a partial shutdown over the weekend.

Defense, health, transportation and housing are among those that were given shutdown guidance by the administration, though many operations are deemed essential and services are not necessarily interrupted. Workers could go without pay if the impasse drags on. Some could be furloughed.

Lawmakers from both parties are increasingly concerned the closure will disrupt the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which they rely on to help constituents in the states after storms and other disasters.

This is the second time in a matter of months that federal government operations have been disrupted as Congress is using the annual funding process as leverage to extract policy changes. Last fall, Democrats sparked what became the longest federal shutdown in history, 43 days, as they protested the expiration of health insurance tax breaks.

That shutdown ended with a promise to vote on proposals to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. But with GOP opposition, Democrats were unable to achieve their goal of keeping the subsidies in place. Insurance premiums spiked in the new year for millions of people.

Trump wants quick end to shutdown

This time, the administration has signaled its interest in more quickly resolving the shutdown.

Johnson said he was in the Oval Office last week when Trump, along with border czar Tom Homan, spoke with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York to work out a deal on immigration enforcement changes.

“I think we’re on the path to get agreement,” Johnson said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Body cameras, which are already provided for in the package, and an end to the roving patrols by immigration agents are areas of potential agreement, Johnson said.

But he said taking the masks off and putting names on agents’ uniforms could lead to problems for law enforcement officers as they are being targeted by the protesters and their personal information is posted online.

“I don’t think the president would approve it — and he shouldn’t,” Johnson said on Fox.

Democrats, however, said the immigration operations are out of control, and must end in Minneapolis and other cities.

Growing numbers of lawmakers are calling for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to be fired or impeached.

“What is happening in Minnesota right now is a dystopia,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who led efforts to hold the line for more changes.

“ICE is making this country less safe, not more safe today,” Murphy said on “Fox News Sunday.”

“Our focus over the next two weeks has to be reining in a lawless and immoral immigration agency.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
College student’s death sparks hazing probe as 3 fraternity members are arrested

Tragic College Hazing Incident Leads to Arrest of 3 Fraternity Members Amid Intensified Investigation

Tragedy struck an Arizona community as an 18-year-old student from Northern Arizona…
Sheriff: Home of Nancy Guthrie, missing mother of 'TODAY' show host Savannah Guthrie, is a crime scene

Crime Scene Investigation Underway at Home of Nancy Guthrie, Missing Mother of ‘TODAY’ Host Savannah Guthrie

The residence of Nancy Guthrie has now been designated a crime scene,…
Tourist trampled to death by elephant in Thai national park

Elephant Encounter Turns Tragic for Tourist in Thai National Park

A tragic incident at a national park in Thailand has claimed the…
Gaza’s Rafah border crossing partially reopens under ceasefire deal

Rafah Border in Gaza Begins Limited Reopening Amid Ceasefire Agreement

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has partially reopened, marking…
Lane Bryant shooting: Tinley Park murders of 5 women remain unsolved 18 years later

Unresolved Tragedy: Tinley Park’s Lane Bryant Murders Still a Mystery After 18 Years

This Monday marked the somber 18th anniversary of a tragic event that…
Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy possibly abducted from her home, authorities say

Urgent Search Underway: Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Feared Abducted from Her Residence

TUCSON, Ariz. – In a deeply concerning development, Arizona authorities have reported…
Emmy-winning 'The Simpsons' writer Dan McGrath dies at 61

Three Dog Night Co-Founder Chuck Negron Passes Away at 83

Chuck Negron, the distinctive voice behind several iconic tracks such as “Joy…
Arizona deputies save choking 2-week-old baby in roadside rescue after parents' emergency call

Arizona Deputies Heroically Rescue Choking Infant in Roadside Emergency

Arizona deputies save choking 2-week-old baby In a dramatic rescue, Arizona deputies…
Flagler County paramedic found guilty of sexual battery, state attorney says

Ex-Paramedic Sentenced to Prison for Sexual Assault on Unconscious Patient During Ambulance Ride

In a troubling case that has drawn significant attention, James Melady, a…
Mom of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie reported missing in Arizona: ‘Very concerning’

Urgent Search Underway for NBC’s Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mother in Arizona

Late Sunday, Arizona authorities announced an active search for the mother of…
Knicks’ Landry Shamet delivers another 3-point barrage in win vs. Lakers

Landry Shamet’s Three-Point Masterclass Leads Knicks to Victory Over Lakers

Landry Shamet’s place on this year’s Knicks roster was far from assured.…
clashes with demonstrators following a march in support of Askatasuna, a left-wing social centre that was evicted by authorities in Turin, Italy, Jan. 31, 2026.

Anarchist-Led Riots in Italy Leave Over 100 Police Injured: Prime Minister Meloni Denounces Escalating Violence

Anarchists violently clash with police in Turin, Italy In a dramatic confrontation…