Trump urges House to pass funding bill, avert prolonged shutdown

2026-02-02 - 21:45

US President Donald Trump has publicly urged Congress to pass a critical government funding bill to conclude an ongoing partial federal shutdown. In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump called for immediate bipartisan action to send the legislation to his desk without alterations. Senate Passage and Legislative Hurdles The funding package cleared the Senate on Friday with a 71-29 vote. It now requires approval from the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where a vote is anticipated Tuesday. The legislative text includes five long-term appropriations bills and provides a two-week funding extension for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), intended to allow further negotiations on contentious immigration enforcement policies. Immigration Policy as a Flashpoint The DHS funding component is particularly sensitive following recent unrest. The debate intensified last month after immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, killed two protesters amidst a surge of federal personnel deployed to fulfill the administration's deportation objectives. Those killings sparked large-scale demonstrations in the city, including a major protest last Friday. The Presidential Appeal Trump framed the vote as necessary to prevent further harm to the nation. "We need to get the government open, and I hope all Republicans and Democrats will join me in supporting this bill," he stated. He warned against "another long, pointless, and destructive shutdown," pledging to address outstanding issues in good faith after the bill's passage.