WASHINGTON, Feb 3 – U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a sweeping spending bill into law, bringing an end to a four-day partial government shutdown that began on Saturday after Congress failed to approve funding before a deadline. The measure restores money for most federal agencies and gives lawmakers a short window to negotiate contentious issues surrounding immigration enforcement, an area that has fueled sharp partisan debate in recent weeks.
The shutdown started on Saturday when funding expired for several major departments, including defense, labor, health and human services, education, housing, and transportation. While the lapse in funding did not immediately cause widespread disruption, thousands of federal workers were affected, with some furloughed and others required to work without pay. The situation renewed memories of the prolonged shutdown late last year, which stretched on for more than a month and left a significant economic footprint.
The bill signed by Trump reopens the affected parts of the government and keeps them funded through the end of the current fiscal year in late September, according to congressional aides familiar with the legislation. At the same time, it provides only a temporary extension of funding for the Department of Homeland Security, setting a new deadline of February 13. That date now looms as another potential flashpoint if lawmakers fail to reach agreement on immigration policy.
The spending agreement was the result of negotiations between the White House and congressional leaders, particularly Senate Democrats, who have been pressing for new limits on the administration’s immigration crackdown. Democrats argue that recent enforcement actions have raised serious concerns about accountability and the use of force by federal agents. Their demands intensified after a fatal incident in Minneapolis last month in which two U.S. citizens were killed during an operation involving federal authorities, a case that has drawn national attention and sparked calls for reform.
As part of the compromise that allowed the spending bill to move forward, the administration agreed to begin deploying body cameras for immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota, a step Democrats say is intended to improve transparency and oversight. Officials in the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the rollout has already started in that state. However, other Democratic proposals, including broader restrictions on enforcement tactics and expanded reporting requirements, are expected to face stiff opposition from Republicans and the White House during the upcoming negotiations.
The bill cleared the Senate last week with strong bipartisan support, reflecting a shared desire to avoid a prolonged shutdown. In the House of Representatives, passage came only hours before the president signed the measure, with lawmakers approving it by a narrow margin of 217 to 214. Several conservative Republicans voted against the package, arguing that it did not go far enough in cutting spending or addressing border security priorities.
House Speaker Mike Johnson played a central role in shepherding the legislation through his chamber. According to people familiar with the floor proceedings, Johnson spent much of the day working to unify his caucus and fend off last-minute attempts to attach unrelated policy provisions to the bill. Those efforts paid off just enough to secure passage, though the close vote underscored ongoing divisions within the Republican Party.
After signing the bill in the Oval Office, Trump hailed the agreement as a win for the country, saying it avoided what he described as excessive and wasteful spending while continuing to fund essential government functions. Standing alongside Republican lawmakers, he framed the deal as a fiscally responsible alternative to larger, more complex spending packages that have drawn criticism in the past. Johnson echoed that sentiment, calling the legislation a significant step forward and emphasizing the importance of keeping the government running.
Despite the celebratory tone from the administration, both parties acknowledge that the deal is only a temporary solution. The short-term extension for Homeland Security funding ensures that immigration policy will remain front and center when Congress returns to the issue later this month. Democrats have made clear they intend to use the upcoming deadline to push for changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, while Republicans and the White House are expected to resist measures they see as weakening enforcement.
The brief shutdown that ended Tuesday was relatively mild compared with previous episodes, but it still carried political and economic consequences. Federal agencies halted some nonessential services, national parks faced staffing challenges, and uncertainty loomed for workers already strained by inflation and economic volatility. Economists note that even short shutdowns can ripple through the economy, disrupting consumer spending and delaying government contracts.
The last shutdown, which occurred in October and November, lasted a record 43 days and is estimated by government analysts to have cost the U.S. economy about $11 billion. That episode left hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed or working without pay and triggered widespread public frustration. Lawmakers from both parties cited that experience as a key reason for moving quickly this time to restore funding.
Still, the underlying disputes that led to the shutdown remain unresolved. Immigration enforcement, border security, and the balance between executive authority and congressional oversight continue to divide Washington. With the February 13 deadline approaching, pressure is building on negotiators to reach a compromise that can pass both chambers and earn the president’s signature.
For now, federal agencies are resuming normal operations, and workers can expect back pay for the days missed during the shutdown, as provided under existing law. Whether this period of calm lasts will depend on the outcome of the next round of talks, which both sides say will be intense and closely watched.
As one senior congressional aide involved in the negotiations put it, the spending bill signed Tuesday was less a final agreement than a pause button, one that gives Washington a narrow window to confront some of its most difficult policy questions without the immediate threat of another government closure.