Key House conservatives have dropped their opposition to a government funding bill after direct intervention from President Donald Trump, paving the way for a swift end to the partial government shutdown that began over the weekend.
The partial government shutdown started on January 31, 2026, when funding lapsed for several federal agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services. This triggered furloughs and disrupted services, with Congress racing to pass a stopgap measure to reopen the government. The shutdown affected essential operations, and workers faced potential pay delays, adding urgency to legislative efforts.
A group of hardline conservatives, led by Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, had threatened to block the funding bill unless it included provisions for stricter voter identification laws. They argued that current laws are insufficient to prevent non-citizens from voting, despite federal requirements already mandating citizenship for voter eligibility. This demand created a significant hurdle for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who faces a razor-thin Republican majority and needed near-unanimous GOP support. Critics countered that the proposed changes would create unnecessary barriers and disenfranchise legitimate voters.
President Trump intervened directly, lobbying key lawmakers through personal meetings and phone calls. He emphasized the urgency of passing a clean funding bill to avoid a prolonged shutdown, which could have economic and political repercussions. In a Truth Social post, Trump urged Congress to adopt the bill with “NO CHANGES” and sign it quickly to prevent “another long, pointless, and destructive Shutdown.” Behind the scenes, Trump’s sales pitch proved effective, as few members were willing to defy him on a direct ask.
Following Trump’s persuasion, conservatives like Luna and Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett signaled a willingness to support the bill. They cited commitments from Senate Majority Leader John Thune to consider the voter ID legislation separately using procedural maneuvers, such as a standing filibuster. This shift allowed the House Rules Committee to advance the funding package on February 2, with key conservatives dropping their opposition after meeting with the president. The move indicated a broader alignment within the GOP behind Trump’s leadership.
The House is now set for a critical floor vote on February 3, where Johnson can afford only a single Republican defection since no Democrats are expected to support the procedural vote. If successful, the bill would fund approximately three-quarters of federal agencies and end the shutdown immediately, restoring pay for affected workers and resuming normal operations. However, Johnson faces challenges from both conservatives and Democrats over the Department of Homeland Security funding, which remains a point of contention.
The funding deal leaves unresolved the issue of DHS appropriations, tied to immigration enforcement and facing another deadline in mid-February. Lawmakers must soon address broader disputes over ICE operations and border security to prevent another potential shutdown. This ongoing debate reflects deeper partisan divides on immigration policy, with Democrats calling for reforms and conservatives pushing for stricter enforcement measures.
This episode underscores Trump’s enduring influence within the Republican Party and the challenges of governing with a narrow House majority. It also highlights the ongoing tensions between conservative policy priorities and the practicalities of funding the government, setting the stage for future budgetary battles. As Congress moves to reopen the government, attention turns to the next fiscal deadlines and the broader implications for presidential power and legislative compromise.
