Trump Ends Partial Shutdown, Secures Back Pay for Furloughed Federal Workers

The recent partial government shutdown has officially come to a close following the passage of a spending package. This legislation ensures funding for various federal agencies, extending through the end of the fiscal year.

Key Developments in Government Funding

The House of Representatives passed the spending package by a narrow vote of 217-214. This comes after the Senate approved the deal the previous Friday. President Donald Trump signed the package into law on a Tuesday afternoon, marking a crucial step in funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Back Pay for Furloughed Workers

The spending legislation includes provisions for back pay to federal employees who faced furloughs during the shutdown. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) updated its guidance, clarifying that Congress would ultimately decide on pay for furloughed employees once the funding hiatus ended.

• Furloughed employees are directed to return to work following the law’s approval.
• Both furloughed and excepted employees will receive back pay, as confirmed by OPM.

Contentious Political Landscape

The passage of the spending package was not without its controversy. All House Democrats opposed the procedural vote that allowed the bill to reach the final vote. Republican leadership faced pressure to secure enough votes to move the bill forward.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) emphasized that funding immigration operations would not be hindered by a potential government shutdown. He pointed out that 80% of the FY 2026 funding for DHS goes to non-immigration priorities like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration.

Funding for Homeland Security

Through the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, Congress allocated $165 billion to the DHS budget to enhance border security and immigration enforcement over the next decade. This includes substantial funds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to increase personnel and recruit new officers.

Democratic Call for Accountability

Democrats are advocating for new restrictions on the Trump administration’s immigration policies following controversial incidents involving law enforcement. They seek to implement various measures, including:

• Ending broad patrols by immigration officials.
• Prohibiting ICE from entering homes without warrants.
• Mandating body cameras for immigration enforcement officers.
• Ensuring officers do not conceal their identities.

Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) has stated that the temporary funding for DHS will provide a platform for pushing for accountability regarding immigration enforcement practices. She warned that failing to enact the spending deal would lead to widespread furloughs and reduced public services.

Impact on IRS Funding

While the spending package trims discretionary funding levels, it largely disregards the major cuts proposed by the Trump administration. However, lawmakers did agree to rescind $11.6 billion initially allocated for modernization efforts at the IRS, which had received a total of $80 billion under the Inflation Reduction Act.

These funds are intended to enhance the IRS’s workforce and upgrade its IT systems, with the updated total for modernization efforts now standing at $26 billion. This funding is available until 2031.

The resolution of the shutdown has reinstated stability in federal operations, crucial for the smooth functioning of government services across various sectors.