Congress Ends Historic 75-Day DHS Shutdown; TSA and FEMA Reopen Without ICE Funding

Congress voted on Thursday to end a record-breaking 75-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, clearing the way for critical agencies like the TSA and FEMA to resume normal operations. President Donald Trump promptly signed the legislation into law, bringing a close to a funding battle that had paralyzed the department and led to massive delays at airports nationwide.

The resolution came after House Speaker Mike Johnson made a significant retreat, opting to move the bill forward despite a weeks-long revolt from conservative hardliners. The final package excludes any immediate funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a move Democrats are hailing as a major victory, though Republicans signaled they will attempt to restore that funding later through a complex budgetary maneuver.

The urgency to reopen the department reached a breaking point this week as DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned that emergency funds were nearly exhausted and paychecks for thousands of federal employees were set to stall. Centrist Republicans also applied immense pressure on leadership, fearing that voters would hold the party responsible for the ongoing travel chaos and national security risks.

While the vote on the House floor was conducted via a voice vote—allowing many members to avoid a recorded position on the controversial measure—the sentiment in Washington is one of relief. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who had pushed for the compromise for weeks, noted the move was essential for basic governance.

Despite the reopening, the political fight is far from over. Hardline conservatives expressed frustration over the strategy, with Rep. Chip Roy of Texas calling the funding process "asinine." Republicans now intend to use budget reconciliation to fund immigration enforcement without Democratic support, a process that could take several more weeks to finalize.

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