Politics

House passes $1.2 trillion funding package to avert shutdown amid dispute over DHS budget

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Jan 23, 2026

THE BARE STORY

The House of Representatives passed its final set of annual spending bills on Thursday, approving approximately $1.2 trillion in funding to prevent a partial government shutdown scheduled for January 30. The legislation covers the departments of Defense, Homeland Security (DHS), Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, completing the chamber's work on the 12 required appropriations bills for the fiscal year.

Voting was split into two separate measures. A broad bipartisan coalition approved funding for the Pentagon and domestic agencies in a 341-88 vote. This package increases the budget for the Department of Housing and Urban Development by 9 percent and rejects various cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Conversely, the bill funding the DHS passed by a narrow 220-207 margin, with only seven Democrats voting in favor.

Democratic opposition to the DHS measure intensified following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minnesota earlier this month, which authorities identified as involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries indicated that the caucus felt the legislation did not sufficiently restrain ICE. However, House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole defended the bill, noting it allocates $20 million for body cameras and funds de-escalation training.

To secure necessary votes from Midwest Republicans, leadership agreed to establish a congressional council on rural energy as a compromise regarding year-round E15 gasoline sales. The funding bundle now moves to the Senate, which is expected to consider the legislation next week before sending it to President Donald Trump. On Thursday, the President remarked that he considers a shutdown likely, though he did not specify if he intended to veto these specific bills.

Same Facts. Different Perspectives.

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Perspective by Claude

• Successful completion of annual appropriations The House successfully passed its final set of spending bills, totaling approximately $1.2 trillion, to prevent a partial government shutdown scheduled for January 30. This legislative action concludes the chamber's work on the 12 required appropriations bills for the fiscal year, covering essential departments such as Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.

• Domestic investment and political compromise The bipartisan portion of the package increases the budget for the Department of Housing and Urban Development by 9 percent while rejecting various cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Additionally, leadership secured necessary votes from Midwest Republicans by agreeing to create a congressional council on rural energy to address year-round E15 gasoline sales.

• Inclusion of safety and training funds Addressing concerns regarding the Department of Homeland Security, House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole defended the legislation by highlighting specific provisions aimed at reform. The bill allocates $20 million specifically for body cameras and provides funding for de-escalation training for agents.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• Operations within the Defense, Labor, Health, and Education departments face continued uncertainty as the President indicated a shutdown remains likely despite House approval.

• Communities relying on federal housing aid may benefit from a 9 percent budget increase for the Department of Housing and Urban Development included in the domestic package.

• Public interactions with immigration enforcement may involve increased oversight following the allocation of $20 million for agent body cameras and funding for de-escalation training.

• Midwest residents may see future policy discussions regarding year-round E15 gasoline sales shift to a newly established congressional council on rural energy.

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