President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a consolidated appropriations package to end a partial government shutdown and fund the Department of War and several federal agencies through September, according to a White House notice.
The action followed House passage of the measure by a 217‑214 vote. The package includes a short‑term funding measure for the Department of Homeland Security.
House Narrowly Approves Multi‑Agency Funding Bill
The Senate approved the group of five appropriations bills Friday by a 71‑29 vote, sending the legislation to the House for final action. The partial shutdown began Saturday after a bipartisan funding measure signed in November expired on Jan. 30. That earlier measure ended a 43‑day shutdown.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R‑La., discussed the shutdown and negotiations during appearances on Fox News Sunday and Meet the Press. Lawmakers continued to debate DHS funding and related enforcement provisions as the new package advanced.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 provides full‑year funding for defense; financial services and general government; the State Department, national security and related programs; labor, health and human services and education; and transportation, housing and urban development. To support negotiations, the Senate‑passed version removed the DHS funding bill, leaving that portion for separate consideration.
According to Breaking Defense, the FY26 defense bill includes $838.7 billion in appropriations, which is $8.4 billion above the Pentagon’s request. The measure includes a 3.8 percent pay raise for servicemembers; $2.9 billion for munitions and industrial capacity; $27 billion for shipbuilding; $1.92 billion for Virginia‑class submarines; and $1.75 billion for advance procurement of DDG‑51 destroyers.
New Budget Paves The Way For F-47 Development
The bill also provides $3.2 billion for the F‑47 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft programs. It supports continued development of the Air Force’s B‑21 Raider and Sentinel components of the nuclear triad and rejects the proposed cancellation of the E‑7 Wedgetail early warning aircraft program.
Democrats link mask flexibility to broader enforcement reforms as Congress moves toward DHS negotiations; Democratic leaders have adjusted their public statements on mask restrictions for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, “I think there’s agreement that no masks should be deployed in an arbitrary and impulsive fashion.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer added that agents “need identification and no masks, except in extraordinary and unusual circumstances.”
Democrats previously opposed mask use without qualification. Jeffries said earlier this week, “Police officers don’t wear masks. Sheriffs don’t wear masks. State troopers don’t wear masks.” Schumer said on the Senate floor that defending masked ICE agents was inconsistent with expectations for accountability.
A Democratic aide said lawmakers are reviewing law‑enforcement standards to ensure any legislative text reflects operational requirements. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said Democrats are consulting with law‑enforcement experts to determine “what those narrow exceptions should be.”
Republican lawmakers have argued that masks protect officers from doxxing threats. Sen. Markwayne Mullin said individuals have attempted to obtain personal information about federal officers. Sen. Thom Tillis said masks may be appropriate during high‑risk operations, including early‑morning warrant actions.
Democrats have indicated that their willingness to consider limited mask exceptions is tied to securing broader enforcement reforms following recent tragedies in Minnesota and other states. Party leaders have stated that adjusting their position may help advance negotiations on oversight, identification standards, and operational limits within DHS. They have also signaled that the funding package creates an opportunity to press for those reforms as discussions continue.
