Trump Signs Budget to End Government Shutdown
President Donald Trump has signed a $1.2 trillion budget to end the partial government shutdown that began last Saturday. Earlier, the House of Representatives approved the deal in a 217-214 vote. The Senate had cleared the package last Friday.
The budget funds most government agencies through the end of the fiscal year in September. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will only receive funding until next week, leaving lawmakers with a short window to resolve disputes.
DHS Funding Remains Controversial
The DHS is the most contested part of the budget. It includes agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Coast Guard, and the Secret Service.
Democrats have called for changes to DHS operations, especially after the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis last month. Proposed reforms include requiring agents to wear body cameras and prohibiting masks that hide their identities
Lawmakers Face Tight Deadline
DHS funding is set to expire on February 13 unless Congress approves a new agreement. Senators agreed to a short-term measure to keep the department running for two weeks. Both chambers of Congress passed the plan, giving lawmakers time to negotiate long-term reforms.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed concern about the two-week window. He noted that members of the Republican conference have widely differing opinions on DHS policies, making a swift resolution difficult.
Impact of the Shutdown
The limited shutdown disrupted several federal services. Thousands of Federal Aviation Administration and air traffic control workers either stayed home on furlough or worked without pay.
The shutdown also delayed the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly jobs report, a key indicator for policymakers, investors, and the public to assess the state of the economy.
