For those curious, you might be thinking, “Didn’t we just go through a government shutdown?”
The answer is, indeed, yes, that was back in the fall of 2025. However, even after all the discussions, the legislation that ended the shutdown only allocated funding for a few key federal agencies for one year. Most other departments are stuck at last year’s funding level, which runs out at the end of January.
This year’s battleground
Last year’s debate focused on extending subsidies for Obamacare. This time around, the tension centers on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Democrats are pushing to defund these agencies, especially in areas like Minneapolis, where President Trump has positioned them. On the other hand, Republicans are advocating for increased funding for DHS and ICE to continue their efforts to detain and deport undocumented immigrants with criminal histories.
Twelve funding bills need to be passed to keep the government running. The House managed to get all of them through by Thursday.
“Despite all the noise and narrow margins, and the fact that many Congress members have never dealt with a normal member-led spending process, this team pulled it off,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) noted at a press conference after the vote. “The House has wrapped up all 12 spending bills, and the Senate will soon follow suit, with the President ready to sign them into law. Quite a vision.”
Compromise in the House
The deal that made this possible involved Democrats securing dedicated funding for body cameras that ICE agents will have to wear, along with a $115 million cut to ICE’s budget and a decrease in detention bed capacity, according to reports.
“This bill isn’t perfect,” reflected Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas whose district runs along the U.S.-Mexico border. “But it’s better than simply funding the department through a continuing resolution or shutting down the government.”
Senate demands to avoid government shutdown
The Senate has passed half of the required funding bills but needs to vote on the remaining ones this week. To prevent a government shutdown, it requires 60 votes, which means some Democratic support is essential. Certain Senate members have made it clear they won’t back any legislation that lacks at least some restrictions on ICE, though ultimately, their goal is to defund DHS.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (New York) expressed that he found the situation in Minnesota “horrifying” and indicated that Democrats would not support a spending bill if it included DHS funding.
“I can’t support anything that increases funding without constraining ICE,” stated Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) in an interview.
Interestingly, some have voiced concerns that external forces might be trying to undermine the U.S. government, particularly regarding the events in Minnesota.
A report mentioned a figure named Neville Roy Singham, who is allegedly collaborating with the Beijing government to funnel significant funds to extremist groups in the U.S., aiming to incite unrest.
Notably, he has been previously investigated by the FBI, and there’s been talk of his connections to the Chinese Communist Party.
President Trump predicts more shutdowns
President Trump isn’t shocked that Democrats might delay passing the rest of the spending bills. He suggested in an interview that there’s a good chance another government shutdown could happen. “I think we’re in trouble because we might end up shutting down a Democratic government again. The last shutdown cost us quite a bit; I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens again,” he shared.
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First publication date is January 28, 2026.
