The partial federal government shutdown that began over the weekend came to an end on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, when President Trump signed a comprehensive spending package into law. The legislation, worth over $1 trillion, funds most federal agencies through the end of the fiscal year in September 2026, bringing relief to hundreds of thousands of federal workers who had been furloughed during the brief but disruptive closure.
The resolution marks a significant moment in Washington’s ongoing budget battles, though it leaves one major agency—the Department of Homeland Security—funded only through a short-term continuing resolution that expires on February 13, 2026. This arrangement sets the stage for another round of intense negotiations over immigration enforcement policies in the coming days.
“Agencies should provide direction to their employees on resumption of operations and reporting expectations.”
— Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
The Path to Resolution
The House of Representatives passed the spending deal with a narrow vote of 217-214, with 21 Democrats crossing party lines to join Republicans in support of the measure. The bipartisan coalition proved essential to overcoming opposition from both progressive Democrats who objected to certain spending cuts and conservative Republicans who sought deeper reductions in federal outlays.
The legislation guarantees back pay for all furloughed federal employees, a provision that has become standard in recent shutdown resolutions but nonetheless provides critical assurance to workers who faced uncertainty about their paychecks. Furloughed employees are expected to return to work on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, with agencies scrambling to resume normal operations after the four-day disruption.
“The American people deserve stability, and they expect results. These bills deliver both.”
— House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.)
Key Provisions of the Spending Package
The spending package includes several notable provisions that reflect the ongoing political tensions in Washington. Among the most controversial is a rescission of $11.6 billion in modernization funds for the Internal Revenue Service, a move that Republicans have championed as a check on what they view as an overly aggressive tax enforcement agency.
The IRS funding cut represents a significant rollback of the agency’s plans to upgrade its technology infrastructure and hire additional enforcement personnel. Democrats have criticized the provision as a gift to wealthy tax evaders, while Republicans argue it prevents government overreach into the lives of ordinary Americans.
Other provisions in the package maintain current funding levels for most domestic programs while providing modest increases for defense spending and veterans’ services. The legislation also includes disaster relief funding for communities affected by recent natural disasters, though the amount falls short of what some lawmakers had requested.
The Department of Homeland Security Exception
The decision to fund the Department of Homeland Security through only a two-week continuing resolution reflects the deep divisions over immigration policy that continue to roil Congress. The short-term funding arrangement allows lawmakers additional time to negotiate over the agency’s budget and the scope of its immigration enforcement activities.
“The two-week stopgap funding bill for DHS allows lawmakers to press for real accountability for the abuses we have seen.”
— House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)
Democrats have pushed for reforms to immigration enforcement practices, including limitations on detention policies and increased oversight of border operations. Republicans, meanwhile, have sought additional funding for border security measures and expanded enforcement capabilities. The February 13 deadline will force both sides to either reach a compromise or face another potential shutdown of the department.
Impact on Federal Workers and Services
The four-day shutdown, while brief compared to the record 43-day closure last fall, nonetheless caused significant disruption to federal operations and the lives of government employees. Approximately 800,000 federal workers were affected by the shutdown, with roughly half furloughed and the remainder required to work without pay.
The shutdown’s impact was felt across a range of government services, from delays in processing tax returns to reduced staffing at national parks and monuments. Small business loan applications were put on hold, and some federal court proceedings were postponed due to the closure.
For federal employees, the shutdown represented another period of uncertainty in what has become an increasingly volatile employment environment. Many workers had already begun making contingency plans, drawing on savings or seeking temporary employment to cover expenses during the closure.
Looking Ahead: The DHS Funding Battle
With the broader spending package now signed into law, attention turns to the upcoming negotiations over Department of Homeland Security funding. The February 13 deadline gives lawmakers less than two weeks to resolve their differences over immigration policy—a timeline that many observers view as ambitious given the depth of the disagreements.
The DHS funding debate is expected to center on several key issues, including funding levels for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, policies governing the detention of migrants, and resources for border security infrastructure. Both parties have signaled they are prepared for a prolonged negotiation, raising the possibility of another short-term extension if a comprehensive agreement cannot be reached.
For now, federal workers and the American public can take some comfort in the resolution of the immediate crisis. But with another funding deadline looming and fundamental policy disagreements unresolved, the threat of future shutdowns remains a persistent feature of Washington’s political landscape.
By the Numbers
- $1 trillion+: The approximate value of the spending package
- 217-214: The final vote in the House of Representatives
- 21: Number of Democrats who voted in favor of the bill
- February 13, 2026: Date the DHS continuing resolution expires
- $11.6 billion: Amount rescinded from IRS modernization budget
- 43 days: Length of the record-long government shutdown last fall
