House returns to Washington seeking deal to reopen government amid shutdown and immigration debate
House lawmakers returned to an icy Washington on Monday as negotiations continue to unfreeze funding for large portions of the federal government, now in a partial shutdown.
(NBC)- House lawmakers returned to an icy Washington on Monday as negotiations continue to unfreeze funding for large portions of the federal government, now in a partial shutdown. The focus is on advancing a Senate-passed funding package that would fully fund most government agencies while temporarily splitting off the Department of Homeland Security.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he expects the funding package to pass quickly, predicting approval by Tuesday.
“I’m confident that we’ll do it at least by Tuesday,” Johnson said.
If approved, Congress would then have two weeks to negotiate immigration enforcement reforms demanded by Democrats. Those proposals include ending roving Immigration and Customs Enforcement patrols and requiring body cameras for all federal immigration officers. Johnson said even President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, has indicated those measures are acceptable.
“I think even Tom Homan has acknowledged both of those things are acceptable and what he was intending to do already,” Johnson said. “So I think we’re on the path to get agreement.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stressed that any agreement must result in meaningful change.
“The administration can’t just talk the talk,” Jeffries said. “They need to walk the walk.”
However, some Democrats are urging colleagues to vote against even the short-term funding package. They are pushing to repeal a sharp increase in ICE funding approved last year as part of what supporters called the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Representative Ro Khanna said Democrats should not back continued funding under the current approach.
“I just don’t see how in good conscience Democrats can vote for continuing ICE funding when they’re killing American citizens,” Khanna said.
The debate comes amid heightened emotions following weekend vigils in Minneapolis for two people killed by federal immigration officers — Renee Good and ICU nurse Alex Pretti.
Those vigils underscored what many lawmakers say is at stake as negotiations continue to reopen the government while addressing immigration enforcement reforms.
If Democrats and Republicans fail to reach an agreement within the next two weeks, funding could again be at risk for FEMA, the TSA, and the Coast Guard — all agencies housed under the Department of Homeland Security.
