President Donald Trump signed a sweeping appropriations bill on Tuesday, concluding a four-day partial government shutdown and averting broader disruptions, though a new clash over immigration enforcement awaits, with funding for the Department of Homeland Security extended only briefly.
The measure, H.R. 7148, known as the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, cleared the House in a narrow 217-214 vote earlier in the day. Twenty-one Democrats supported it alongside 196 Republicans, while Speaker Mike Johnson worked to sway reluctant GOP members to push it through.
Trump, surrounded by Republican lawmakers in the Oval Office, including Johnson, who held a red hat emblazoned with “America is back!” — hailed the signing.
“Very important day,” Trump said. “This bill is a great victory for the American people. Instead of a bloated and wasteful omnibus monstrosity full of special interest handouts, we’ve succeeded in passing a fiscally responsible package that actually cuts wasteful federal spending while supporting critical programs for the safety, security and prosperity of the American people.”
Johnson added: “This is a big thing.”
The legislation funds five key areas for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026: Financial Services and General Government; National Security and the Department of State; the Department of Defense; the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and the Department of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. It also provides a two-week continuing resolution for DHS, set to lapse on February 13.
The short-term DHS patch stems from Senate Democrats’ insistence on reforms to agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following recent events in Minnesota. Democrats seek enhanced oversight, including independent investigations into ICE-related deaths and practices; bans on agents wearing face masks; required body-worn cameras for all operations; curbs on roving patrols; elimination of administrative warrants bypassing judicial review; and an end to internal arrest quotas. Some Democrats favor withholding DHS funds for the rest of the fiscal year.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced that federal immigration agents in Minneapolis will begin using body cameras immediately, with plans to expand the policy nationwide as funding permits, as previously reported on by The Dallas Express.
The Senate had approved the package 71-29 last Friday after debating amendments. Rejected proposals included Sen. Rand Paul’s to cut refugee assistance (32-67); Sen. Eric Schmitt’s to eliminate the National Endowment for Democracy (voice vote); multiple from Sen. Mike Lee to strike earmarks or specific funding (motions to table passed 67-33, 58-42, 58-42); Sen. Bernie Sanders’ to rescind ICE funds and alter Medicaid (49-51); and Sen. Jeff Merkley’s to block late deferrals (47-52, ruled out of order).
Sen. Susan Collins’ amendment for the DHS extension passed by unanimous consent.
Because the Senate modified the House version, the bill returned to the House, triggering the shutdown that began on January 31. Impacts were limited given its weekend timing and brevity.
Post-signing, the Office of Management and Budget instructed agencies to resume operations.
“President Trump signed H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which ends the partial shutdown, brings employees back to work, and reopens all affected government functions,” read a memo from Director Russ Vought.
“Therefore, agencies should take all necessary steps to ensure that offices open in a prompt and orderly manner on February 4, 2026. Employees who were on furlough due to the absence of appropriations may resume work remotely today and should be directed to return to duty stations as normal on February 4, 2026.”
With 11 of 12 fiscal 2026 bills enacted ahead of past March deadlines, focus now shifts to White House-led talks on a revised DHS measure within the next two weeks.