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Looming Federal Shutdown Update
Earlier this week, a legislative package with the six remaining spending bills, including one for the Department of Homeland Security, failed in the Senate. It passed the House earlier this month, but after the ICE killing of a protestor in Minnesota, Senate Democrats and some Republicans would not approve the DHS bill as written.
The White House and Senate Democrats announced yesterday an agreement to remove the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spending bill from the legislative package, and to instead enact the remaining five full-year spending bills that already passed the House. This includes full-year funding for Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, Transportation-Housing and Urban Development, Defense, State-Foreign Operations, and Financial Services.
Under the agreement, DHS would be funded through a two-week continuing resolution (CR) to give policymakers more time to negotiate over policy changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Democratic lawmakers are demanding changes to tighten rules on warrants, mandate independent investigations, prohibit masks and require body cameras for DHS agents.
Senate leaders want to quickly enact the compromise. Once the revised package passes the Senate, it must return to the House for another vote. The House is not slated to return to session until Monday, but it is possible that Speaker Johnson may call members back to DC over the weekend. Congressional leaders are hoping the President can put some pressure on House members to support the package.
While a partial shutdown is likely, it is possible that it could be very short-lived, with resolution by the weekend or early next week.
Nonprofits and ICE Guidance
If you think your organization may be visited by an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, please review some basic information as of February 2025 regarding the rights and obligations of nonprofit organizations. You can access the document here: Nonprofits and ICE Guidance
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