Speaker Johnson faces tough choices as partial government shutdown drags and debate over ICE deepens

Speaker Johnson Faces Uphill Battle to Prevent Government Shutdown Amid Immigration Enforcement Debate

House Speaker Mike Johnson is navigating difficult terrain as he attempts to advance a federal funding package and prevent a prolonged partial government shutdown while contentious debates over immigration enforcement operations intensify.

The Louisiana Republican has indicated he’s looking to President Donald Trump for support, acknowledging on “Fox News Sunday” that “the president is leading this” and describing the current strategy as “his play call.” Johnson noted that Trump has “already conceded that he wants to turn down the volume” on federal immigration sweeps and raids.

The immediate challenge comes Monday afternoon when Johnson must rally his GOP majority to move the package forward in committee after Democrats declined to provide votes for expedited consideration. The Speaker expressed hope for a full House vote by Tuesday at the latest.

The current impasse stems from Trump’s deal with senators to separate Department of Homeland Security funding from the broader package. This arrangement came in response to public outrage over two shooting deaths during protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minneapolis. Under the Senate-approved plan, DHS would receive temporary funding until February 13, creating a deadline for Congress to seek consensus on new restrictions for ICE operations.

Democrats are demanding substantial changes to immigration enforcement practices beyond the $20 million for body cameras already included in the bill. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York emphasized on ABC’s “This Week” that “the Department of Homeland Security needs to be dramatically reformed.”

Specifically, Democrats want agents to remove masks, identify themselves, end roving patrols, and obtain judicial warrants before conducting raids. “Masks should come off,” Jeffries insisted. “Judicial warrants should absolutely be required consistent with the Constitution, in our view, before DHS agents or ICE agents are breaking into the homes of the American people or ripping people out of their cars.”

Meanwhile, Republicans are pursuing their own agenda. The House Freedom Caucus is pushing for more comprehensive DHS funding, while some GOP members are advocating for additional measures like the SAVE Act—a Trump priority requiring proof of citizenship for voting eligibility.

As this political tug-of-war continues, numerous federal agencies remain caught in the funding standoff after entering a partial shutdown over the weekend. Defense, health, transportation, and housing departments have received shutdown guidance from the administration. While many operations deemed essential continue functioning, workers could face furloughs or missed paychecks if the impasse persists.

Lawmakers from both parties have expressed growing concern about potential disruptions to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which provides critical assistance to states following disasters.

This marks the second time in recent months that government operations have been disrupted by congressional funding disputes. Last fall, Democrats triggered what became a 43-day shutdown—the longest in federal history—while protesting the expiration of health insurance tax breaks. That shutdown ended with a promise to vote on proposals extending Affordable Care Act tax credits, but GOP opposition ultimately prevented Democrats from maintaining the subsidies, leading to premium increases for millions of Americans.

The Trump administration appears eager to resolve the current shutdown quickly. Johnson revealed he was present in the Oval Office when Trump and border czar Tom Homan spoke with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to negotiate immigration enforcement changes. “I think we’re on the path to get agreement,” Johnson stated on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

While body cameras and ending roving patrols represent potential areas of compromise, Johnson expressed opposition to removing masks or displaying agents’ names, arguing this could endanger law enforcement officers who are already being targeted by protesters and having their personal information exposed online. “I don’t think the president would approve it—and he shouldn’t,” Johnson said.

Democrats maintain that immigration operations have become uncontrollable and must be halted in Minneapolis and elsewhere. Growing numbers of lawmakers are calling for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to be fired or impeached.

“What is happening in Minnesota right now is a dystopia,” said Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat who has advocated for stronger changes. “ICE is making this country less safe, not more safe today. Our focus over the next two weeks has to be reining in a lawless and immoral immigration agency.”