And Congress has the authority – and the moral obligation – to act,” said Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer before the vote. Democrats demand DHS funding be separated and renegotiated to include limits on Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The House and Senate both have to approve the exact same bill texts before they can become law. Lawmakers have raised concerns about the consequences of a DHS shutdown for agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency during severe winter weather. The White House has become more directly involved in the negotiations as the vote approaches, according to US media, with Trump aides exploring whether a temporary DHS funding extension could defuse the crisis.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 29, 2026 21:04 UTC