House Speaker Mike Johnson Faces Challenges Amid Partial Government Shutdown

Tue Feb 03 2026 01:25:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

House Speaker Mike Johnson is navigating a tense political landscape as he seeks to pass a federal funding package amid demands for reform in immigration enforcement and the specter of a prolonged government shutdown.

As the partial government shutdown continues, House Speaker Mike Johnson is grappling with bipartisan demands for changes in immigration policy and funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats are pushing for reforms to limit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, while Republicans are advocating for more robust DHS funding. Johnson is leaning on President Trump for support as negotiations intensify ahead of a critical committee vote.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a challenging road as he attempts to push through a federal funding package to prevent a prolonged partial government shutdown. The debate is heating up over immigration enforcement tactics implemented during the Trump administration, particularly in light of recent public outcry.

Johnson is signaling a reliance on President Donald Trump's influence to help ensure the package's passage. Trump previously struck a deal to decouple funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from a broader financial package after violent protests erupted in Minneapolis, leading to two deaths amid anger surrounding ICE operations.

Under the temporary plan approved by the Senate, DHS will receive funding until February 13, creating a deadline for Congress to reach a consensus on new regulations regarding ICE activities. The president is leading this, Johnson said during an interview on Fox News, indicating that this approach aims to lessen the federal enforcement pressures.

Democrats Push for ICE Reform

Democratic leaders are pressing for comprehensive reforms as they seek to rein in ICE's activities beyond the current allocation of $20 million for body cameras. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the need for immediate negotiations over restrictive measures on ICE, including requiring agents to identify themselves and banning roving patrols.

“What is clear is that the Department of Homeland Security needs to be dramatically reformed,” Jeffries stated, underscoring his commitment to ensuring constitutional protections for individuals against unwarranted enforcement actions.

Republicans Demand More Funding

On the other hand, House Republicans are making their demands known, advocating for increased funding for DHS while also considering measures like the SAVE Act, which would mandate proof of citizenship for electoral participation. Johnson indicated that he will engage with lawmakers throughout the day to gauge support.

Impact of Government Shutdown

As it stands, various federal agencies are caught in the crosshairs of this funding impasse, prompting a partial government shutdown over the weekend. Essential services are still operational, but many workers could face payment delays or furloughs if the deadlock persists, raising concerns, particularly in light of FEMA's critical role in disaster response.

Administration's Push for Resolution

This time around, the administration appears eager to resolve the issue swiftly. Johnson shared insights from a recent Oval Office meeting with Trump and Senate leaders, where they discussed immigration reform. Potential areas for compromise include body cameras for ICE agents and a reduction of random patrols.

Nonetheless, Johnson expressed concerns that enforcing stricter identification measures for ICE agents could compromise their safety amidst ongoing protests. Meanwhile, Democrats are adamant about curbing ICE's aggressive stance in numerous communities across the U.S.

“Our focus over the next two weeks has to be reining in a lawless and immoral immigration agency,” asserted Sen. Chris Murphy, reflecting the sentiments of many Democrats who deem the current landscape untenable.