WASHINGTON –
A more than two-month shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security has ended after Congress passed a funding measure covering most of the agency’s operations while leaving key components unresolved.
The shutdown began Feb. 14 and lasted about 75 days, affecting tens of thousands of federal employees. Lawmakers approved funding for the majority of DHS, restoring operations across major divisions.
DHS oversees agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Coast Guard.
What remains unfunded
The agreement excludes the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, two agencies central to ongoing political disputes over immigration policy and enforcement practices.
Republican lawmakers plan to address funding for ICE and CBP through a separate budget reconciliation process, which allows passage with a simple majority rather than requiring bipartisan support.
During the shutdown, Donald Trump signed executive actions aimed at ensuring DHS employees continued receiving pay while negotiations continued.
That move reduced financial uncertainty for workers and may have lessened pressure on Congress to reach a faster agreement.
Alongside the funding deal, Congress approved a short-term extension of a key surveillance authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Section 702, which allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect foreign communications data, was set to expire. Lawmakers approved a 45-day extension to avoid disruption to intelligence operations.
Debate over surveillance powers
The program has faced bipartisan criticism over concerns that Americans’ communications could be incidentally collected.
Lawmakers say the temporary extension provides time to negotiate potential reforms before considering a longer-term reauthorization.
Farm Bill advances
Separately, the U.S. House passed a scaled-back version of the Farm Bill, often referred to by lawmakers as a “farm bill light.”
The measure includes key agricultural provisions and received some bipartisan support. It now moves to the Senate for consideration.
