Democrats reject White House ICE offer as partial shutdown looms – US politics live

Democratic leaders Schumer and Jeffries have rejected a White House proposal to address immigration concerns, calling it "incomplete and insufficient". The proposal was made as a partial shutdown of the US government looms. In related news, President Trump has faced criticism for his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, with one partially redacted document revealing he had knowledge of Epstein's abuse of girls in 2006. An immigration judge recently rejected the Trump administration's efforts to deport Tufts University doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk. The US military carried out a deadly strike on Monday in the eastern Pacific, killing two suspected drug smugglers. A federal judge in California has issued a preliminary injunction blocking part of a new state law banning federal law enforcement officers from covering their faces.

The US House of Representatives passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan spending package on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to end a partial government shutdown. The legislation restores funding for federal programs, including those within the Departments of Labor and Education. While the Republican-controlled House approved the bill with a narrow vote of 217-214, it now heads to President Trump for his signature. Immigration was a key point of contention, with the bill only funding the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks, allowing for further negotiations on immigration enforcement reforms. Democrats are seeking restraints on ICE, while the rest of the appropriations bills fund government agencies through September 30.

President Trump signed a $1.2 trillion spending bill on Tuesday, ending the recent partial government shutdown. The bill funds government agencies and programs through September 30. While this resolves one funding dispute, it initiates another concerning the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats pushed for a short-term, two-week extension of Homeland Security funding, expiring February 13, to allow for further debate on immigration enforcement restrictions. This debate was prompted by recent shooting deaths involving federal officers in Minneapolis. The House approved the bill with a 217-214 vote before it was signed into law.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing challenges in Washington D.C. as he attempts to pass a federal funding package and avert a prolonged partial government shutdown. The article highlights the difficult choices Johnson must make amidst ongoing debates, including one concerning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The situation is further complicated by political dynamics involving figures like former President Donald Trump and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The House is also considering a vote to extend Obamacare subsidies for three years. The article was updated in late January/early February 2026.

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced there would be no immediate House vote on a government funding package, prolonging the partial federal shutdown into the week. Johnson blamed Democrats for the delay, citing their demands regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The debate centers around reining in the Trump administration's immigration enforcement. Johnson indicated he is relying on President Trump to ensure passage of the funding package. The Senate previously approved a measure to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks, setting a deadline for Congress to debate and vote on new restrictions on ICE operations following public outrage over shooting deaths during protests in Minneapolis.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson stated he expects to have the votes to end the partial government shutdown by Tuesday. The shutdown began Saturday after Congress failed to approve a spending deal. The Senate passed a funding package Friday, but the House was not in session due to transportation issues following a southeastern snowstorm. The plan is to fund all agencies except the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by Tuesday, followed by two weeks of negotiations regarding immigration enforcement. This separation of DHS funding aims to prevent disruptions to other government operations while considering new restrictions on federal immigration agents. Johnson expressed confidence in reaching a resolution despite the Republican's narrow majority in the House.

A partial government shutdown began Saturday in Washington D.C., but is expected to be short-lived as the House plans to quickly pass funding legislation upon return Monday. Unlike previous shutdowns, half of this year's funding bills have already been approved, allowing many federal agencies and programs to continue operating through September, including nutrition assistance. The shutdown primarily affects the Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Transportation, potentially leading to unpaid work or furloughs for some employees. The impasse stems from the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis, which led Democrats to demand the removal of the DHS funding bill from the package.

The US Senate approved a bipartisan spending package on Friday to avert a government shutdown. The vote followed Democratic anger over the killing of two people by federal agents during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, which initially stalled funding talks. Despite Senate passage, a short government shutdown is expected to begin on Saturday because the House of Representatives is out of session until Monday and cannot ratify the agreement before the deadline. The Trump administration expects the House to quickly approve the bill early next week, ending the shutdown. However, concerns remain that political polarization surrounding the administration's immigration policies could prolong the shutdown.

The US Senate approved a government funding package in a 71-29 vote, following a deal between President Trump and Democrats. The agreement came after Senate Democrats initially blocked funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) due to the deaths of two US citizens in Minneapolis involving immigration enforcement agents. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer negotiated a deal to pass five spending bills with bipartisan support, funding departments like defense and health through September. DHS funding will be addressed with a two-week stopgap measure to allow for negotiations on immigration enforcement reforms, including body cameras and a code of conduct for ICE agents. A partial government shutdown is expected through the weekend as the House of Representatives, currently out of session, needs to approve the package on Monday.

The US is likely to avert a major government shutdown after a Senate agreement to split a funding bill on Friday. The agreement separates funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from a larger package including the State Department and the Pentagon. Although the House must still approve the package, a brief funding lapse is expected after the current funding expires on Friday. The House is expected to act quickly next week to minimize the effects of the lapse. The agreement follows a deal between President Trump and Senate Democrats for a two-week stopgap measure for DHS after backlash over federal immigration agents shooting a man in Minneapolis.

To avert a partial government shutdown scheduled for Saturday, Senators have reached an agreement to advance a major package of spending bills. The agreement spins off the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spending bill, as Democrats are demanding changes to immigration enforcement within DHS, specifically regarding ICE. Democrats seek reforms such as ending mask-wearing by federal agents, implementing a code of conduct, and establishing independent investigations of violations, following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis. Senate Majority Leader Schumer stated Democrats are united on these goals to "rein in ICE and end the violence." Former President Trump has expressed hope for a bipartisan "yes" vote on the spending bills.

To avoid a partial government shutdown, the White House and Democrats are negotiating a spending deal that includes potential restrictions on immigration enforcement. Democrats blocked legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security, demanding curbs on ICE following recent deaths involving federal agents. A tentative agreement proposes separating homeland security funding for a two-week extension to allow further debate on ICE restrictions. While Speaker Johnson initially opposed breaking up the funding package, he acknowledged the need to act quickly to prevent a shutdown. Democrats are prepared to block the broader spending bill if their demands regarding ICE are not met.

A Senate vote to advance a spending package and avert a partial government shutdown failed after Democrats refused to support funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) without reforms to federal agents' conduct. Democrats are seeking changes to immigration enforcement following the death of a US citizen in Minneapolis, including a code of conduct for agents and independent investigations of violations. Republicans declined to separate the DHS bill, leading to the failed vote. The current spending authorizations for many government departments expire after Friday, guaranteeing at least a partial shutdown. Negotiations are ongoing for a deal that could pass most funding bills and a short-term measure covering the DHS, allowing more time for talks on immigration enforcement.

A partial US government shutdown is increasingly likely as Democrats and Republicans face a political standoff over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). With funding for DHS and other agencies set to expire on Saturday, Senate Democrats are demanding reforms to ICE, including a code of conduct for agents and mandatory identification, following the deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis. Democrats have threatened to block a spending bill unless their demands are met, with Senate leader Chuck Schumer calling for ICE to be "reined in and overhauled." It is unclear if President Trump and Republicans will agree to the demands. This situation threatens another government shutdown, reminiscent of the 43-day closure two months prior due to a dispute over healthcare subsidies.

Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, are demanding reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) be included in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, which must pass by Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown. The Democrats' demands include banning masks for federal agents, requiring body cameras and identification, mandating coordination with local police, and establishing independent investigations into misconduct. These demands follow the recent killing of a U.S. citizen by federal agents in Minneapolis. Republicans, led by John Thune, have signaled openness to discussing reforms but intend to proceed with a vote on the DHS funding bill and other spending measures on Thursday. The GOP emphasizes that a government shutdown is not in anyone's interest.

A partial federal shutdown appears increasingly likely as Democratic senators demand significant changes to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). With a crucial vote on spending legislation approaching on Thursday, Democrats are considering blocking the bill, which funds the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Democrats are seeking changes to ICE and U.S. Border Patrol in response to recent deaths involving federal agents in Minneapolis. Potential demands include requiring agents to have warrants and identify themselves before making immigration arrests. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is awaiting specific demands from the Democratic caucus. The outcome of the Thursday vote will determine whether a partial government shutdown will occur.