The House is preparing to move on a government funding package after a partial shutdown began at 12 a.m. Saturday, January 31, 2026. The Rules Committee is slated to meet this afternoon to set terms for debate and a floor vote.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Sunday that he expects a vote as soon as Tuesday, which would keep the lapse brief if the chamber can clear the bill and get it to the president for signature.
The funding plan follows the Senate’s push to keep most of the government open while negotiations continue over immigration enforcement. Senators advanced a package that excludes full-year Department of Homeland Security funding and instead relies on a short extension for DHS while policymakers continue talks on reforms. That approach has drawn broad support for the five non-DHS bills and created a separate track for the narrower dispute.
What is in the package and why DHS is separate
The legislation moving through Congress funds five major slices of the federal government, including the Pentagon and the State Department, on a long-term basis. DHS funding would be extended for two weeks at current levels to allow additional bargaining over enforcement policies.
Senate leaders structured the plan after days of back-and-forth over proposals affecting immigration agencies, including identification rules for officers and use-of-force standards. By splitting DHS, negotiators aim to avoid a wider shutdown while they seek common ground on a single department.
The mechanics in the House start with the Rules Committee. If members agree on a rule, the chamber will proceed to a debate and amendment framework before final passage votes. If the rule fails or is delayed, leaders could explore other paths, such as moving under suspension of the rules, although that route carries a higher threshold for passage and typically requires substantial bipartisan support. Committee decisions this afternoon will shape how quickly the measure reaches the floor.
Timing and shutdown impact
Johnson said on Sunday that he believes the House will vote by Tuesday, February 3. The duration of the partial shutdown will hinge on that timetable. Agencies covered by the five-bill bundle have experienced a funding lapse since early Saturday, but many weekend services were already limited.
If the House finishes its work by Tuesday and the White House signs the bill promptly, the interruption would likely be short, with limited visible effects for most Americans.
If the House cannot move the package this week, pressure will build to adopt a temporary patch. Leaders in both parties have indicated they prefer to enact the five long-term bills and reserve the DHS debate for a focused, two-week window. The Rules Committee meeting is designed to keep that plan on track while allowing members to register positions through amendments and procedural votes.
