The BareStory
The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a $1.2 trillion spending package aimed at ending a partial government shutdown that began Saturday. The legislation, which has already passed the Senate, includes five full-year appropriations bills funding the departments of Defense, State, and Treasury, among others. It also contains a two-week funding extension for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Speaker Mike Johnson faces a significant test in advancing the legislation due to a slim Republican majority that allows for only one defection on party-line votes. Conservative members, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, initially threatened to withhold support unless the package included the SAVE Act, a measure requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration. However, President Donald Trump urged lawmakers on Monday to pass the funding agreement without changes. Following a meeting at the White House, Rep. Luna and Rep. Tim Burchett indicated they would vote to advance the procedural measure, citing assurances they received regarding the elections bill.
Democratic leadership has signaled they will not assist in passing the initial procedural rule. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that Republicans bear the responsibility for passing the rule, citing Democratic concerns over immigration enforcement following a reported fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis. The procedural measure also reportedly schedules contempt-of-Congress votes related to an investigation involving Bill and Hillary Clinton, adding to the partisan divide.
While Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, stated she would support the final funding passage to resolve the shutdown, Rep. Jim McGovern opposed the bill, citing allegations that DHS agents have violated the Fourth Amendment by entering homes without warrants. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned that any attempt to attach the SAVE Act to the spending bill would be "dead on arrival" in the Senate.
How it may affect me
As a U.S. reader:
• If the House and Senate pass the $1.2 trillion package, the partial government shutdown that began Saturday would end, restoring full-year funding and normal operations for the Departments of Defense, State, and Treasury.
• The Department of Homeland Security would receive only a two-week funding extension, meaning uncertainty regarding immigration and border enforcement funding will likely return in the immediate future.
• While the SAVE Act is not attached to this spending bill, assurances given to conservative lawmakers suggest that legislation requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration may be introduced or voted upon separately at a later date.
• Allegations regarding Fourth Amendment violations by federal agents, including warrantless home entries and use of force, have been raised during negotiations, highlighting ongoing disputes over the conduct of immigration enforcement in communities.
