Speaker Johnson Confident Shutdown Ends by Tuesday Amid DHS Dispute

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he is confident the partial government shutdown that started Saturday will end by Tuesday. The shutdown came after Senate Democrats demanded changes to a spending package for several agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, in response to the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Background

Congress had been making steady progress on funding the government for the rest of fiscal year 2026. Lawmakers passed funding bills for half of the 12 main spending areas earlier this year. Those bills cover agencies like Energy, Interior, and Commerce, so they face no funding gaps.

The remaining six bills cover the Pentagon, Homeland Security, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and others. The House approved these bills last week. Everyone expected the Senate to pass them quickly and send them to President Trump for his signature.

That plan fell apart on January 24. Federal agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement shot and killed Alex Pretti, a VA nurse, and Renée Good in Minneapolis. The shootings happened during what agents described as an immigration enforcement action. Witnesses said the agents did not identify themselves and wore masks. The deaths sparked outrage, especially among Democrats.

Senate Democrats refused to approve the full package unless it included reforms for DHS agents. They wanted rules like body cameras, showing ID before acting, limits on force, and an end to patrols in cities without warrants. Eight Republicans joined Democrats to block the original bill.

Late Thursday, the White House and Senate Democrats reached a deal. They agreed to pass five bills right away for Defense, Transportation, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Housing and Urban Development, State, and Treasury. For DHS, they set a two-week extension at current funding levels to allow more talks on reforms.

The Senate passed this updated package Friday evening. But the House, which is on recess, does not return until Monday. Funding ran out at midnight Friday, so parts of the government shut down Saturday. The House must now approve the Senate's version, and the president must sign it.

Key Details

The shutdown affects six agencies temporarily. Essential work continues, like national security at the Pentagon and air traffic control. But many workers face furloughs or delayed pay if it lasts.

The Office of Management and Budget sent orders Friday for agencies to start shutdown steps. Employees report to work Monday to wrap up operations. Furloughed staff cannot check email or use government devices. They get back pay once funding returns.

Nutrition programs like SNAP keep running because their funding is secure. Social Security checks go out as normal. National parks stay open with limited staff.

Agency Impacts

• Defense Department: Military bases operate. Troops get paid. Civilian staff may furlough.
• Homeland Security: Border security and disaster response continue. ICE enforcement goes on with limits.
• Transportation: Airports and highways stay safe. Some projects pause.
• Housing and Urban Development: Rental aid slows. New loans stop.
• Labor and Health: Job training and some health programs halt non-essentials.

"We are confident the House will act swiftly on Monday to pass this bipartisan agreement and end the lapse in funding," Speaker Johnson told reporters Saturday morning.

OMB Director Russ Vought noted the administration hopes for a quick fix. Agencies prepared plans weeks ago, knowing the deadline loomed.

The Minneapolis shootings added heat to long-running fights over immigration enforcement. Families of Pretti and Good called for accountability. Local leaders in Minnesota said federal agents acted without enough oversight in their city.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer listed specific demands: no masks for agents, body cameras always on, third-party warrants for home entries, no roving ICE patrols in cities, and clear rules on force.

Over the two-week DHS extension, the White House and Democrats will negotiate these points. If they agree, DHS gets full-year funding later. If not, another deadline hits in two weeks.

What This Means

Federal workers brace for a short disruption. Many saw pay delays in past shutdowns. This one differs from the 43-day one in 2018-2019 because most agencies are funded, and a deal is in place.

Air travelers might see minor delays if Transportation staff furlough. Defense contractors worry about payments. Housing applicants face waits for aid.

The bigger picture shows how one event can derail budget talks. Congress passed half the bills on time, a rare win. But last-minute fights over policy riders, like DHS rules, create these crises.

Lawmakers return Monday focused on this vote. Speaker Johnson leads a slim Republican majority in the House. He needs some Democratic votes since the Senate changed the bill. Bipartisan support in the House last week suggests passage is likely.

Once signed, five agencies get full funding through September 2026. DHS talks continue. This avoids a longer shutdown but keeps tension high on immigration enforcement.

Economists watch for ripple effects. Short shutdowns cost little, but they erode trust in government. Federal workers plan finances around pay certainty. Businesses with government contracts hold back hires.

Democrats see use from the shootings to push reforms. Republicans defend agents' work on borders and crime. The two-week window tests if compromise is possible.

President Trump backs the deal to keep most government running. His team negotiates DHS changes quietly. Success here sets the tone for the rest of the year's budget fights.

Workers at affected agencies check updates closely. Many recall past shutdowns' stress. A quick House vote Monday could send everyone home paid by Tuesday.