Trump Signs Bill Funding DHS, Ending 76-Day Shutdown

President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan bill on Thursday to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security, ending a 76-day partial shutdown that started on February 14, 2026. The legislation excludes funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.

The White House announced the signing shortly after the House passed the measure by voice vote. The shutdown, the longest agency-specific funding lapse in U.S. history, affected about 260,000 DHS employees, many deemed essential and required to work without routine pay.

It followed a prior governmentwide shutdown last year that lasted 43 days. Workers faced repeated threats of furloughs and missed paychecks, with some relying on executive actions for temporary funding.

The funding standoff stemmed from Trump's deportation operations in Minneapolis, where federal agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during protests. Democrats refused to fund ICE and Border Patrol without operational changes.

Republicans rejected funding the rest of DHS without including those agencies. The Senate unanimously approved the bipartisan package a month ago, but it stalled in the House. " To resolve the impasse, Republicans adopted a budget resolution on Wednesday by a 215-211 vote, starting a reconciliation process for $70 billion in immigration enforcement funding through 2029.

“It is about damn time." — Rep. The White House warned this week that temporary funds for TSA and other personnel would soon expire, risking operational disruptions. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated salaries total $1.6 billion every two weeks, and the shutdown "NEVER should have happened." Immigration enforcement operations continued with separate funding, including $170 billion from last year's tax cuts bill. Other DHS components, like the Coast Guard and FEMA, faced instability. The resolution allows the immigration funding bill to proceed, with votes expected in May and Trump wanting it by June 1.”

The shutdown occurred amid scrutiny of DHS, following Trump's ouster of Kristi Noem as secretary and installation of Markwayne Mullin. Rep. Chip Roy criticized isolating immigration funding as "offensive" to ICE and Border Patrol personnel. " The measure's passage averted immediate pay lapses, as agencies prepared for more furloughs.

“We threw a fit. Democrats proposed the bill over 70 days ago, citing hardships for workers. Republicans aimed to ensure funding for deportations during Trump's term, ending January 2029. The resolution mirrors last year's process for Trump's tax cuts, opposed by all Democrats. While the shutdown ended abruptly, the separate immigration funding path involves a weekslong process ahead. Fox News reported the lapse at 75 days, while other sources cited 76 days or over 10 weeks. Al Jazeera noted the bill excludes ICE, aligning with consensus reports.”