Trump Signs Bill Ending DHS Shutdown After 76 Days
President Trump ended a 76-day Department of Homeland Security shutdown Thursday, signing legislation that funds most agencies through September while excluding ICE and Border Patrol.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump signed legislation Thursday ending the Department of Homeland Security shutdown that had stalled paychecks for federal employees since mid-February, marking the end of the third funding lapse in the past year.
The House approved the bill on a voice vote earlier Thursday, providing funding for most DHS agencies through the next five months. The legislation excludes additional spending for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol, separating those agencies from the broader department funding.
The shutdown affected employees across multiple agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration. During the funding lapse, federal immigration officers assisted with airport security at locations including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Congressional Response to Extended Shutdown
Connecticut Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro, ranking member on the Appropriations Committee, criticized Republican leadership during floor debate for the prolonged negotiations. “It was about damn time” Republican leaders brought the bill to the floor, DeLauro said.
“From the outset” Democrats wanted to negotiate with Republicans to address “armed, masked agents marauding our streets and terrorizing people in our communities,” DeLauro stated. “It has been the Republicans (who) have been intransigent and not willing to do that. But there we go. Today we’re going to do it. It could have been done 76 days ago. I’ll take it today.”
Republican Criticism of Funding Structure
Texas Republican Representative Chip Roy objected to separating ICE and Border Patrol funding from the main DHS appropriations bill. Roy called the separation “offensive to the men and women who serve” in those agencies.
“While we are all unified in funding the rest of DHS, we are absolutely horrified that we are blowing up the appropriations process to target those brave men and women who are doing the Lord’s work to keep us safe,” Roy said during debate.
Trump’s signature on the DHS appropriations bill completes the annual government funding process that was originally scheduled to conclude before the end of September 2025. The extended negotiations resulted in multiple funding lapses that disrupted federal operations across the department.
The legislation provides operational funding for homeland security functions while leaving immigration enforcement agencies to be addressed through separate appropriations measures. Federal employees who worked without pay during the shutdown are expected to receive back pay under the new funding arrangement.
