In a series of critical votes, the House of Representatives passed the final appropriations bills for the fiscal year, narrowly approving funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amid a storm of Democratic criticism over President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration policies.

The DHS funding bill, which includes allocations for the Coast Guard, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), was passed by a slim margin of 220-207. This vote was pivotal in setting Congress on a path to meet the January 30 deadline, thereby averting a potential partial government shutdown.

Following the contentious DHS vote, the House also approved a broader bipartisan measure by a vote of 341-88, which included funding for the Pentagon and the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Education—extending through September 30.

The passage of these bills marks a significant victory for House GOP leaders who managed to consolidate support despite internal debates over the size of the spending packages and several lawmakers’ attendance issues. With these votes, all 12 annual appropriations bills have successfully passed through the chamber.

Democrats, expressing deep concerns over the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation and detention strategies, particularly highlighted by recent incidents in Minnesota, demanded a separate vote on the DHS bill. Although the final compromise includes funding for body cameras and additional training for ICE and CBP officers, many Democrats found these provisions insufficient to address their ethical concerns regarding the administration's enforcement tactics.

The approved DHS measure also includes $20 million dedicated to improving independent oversight of DHS detention facilities and a reduced budget for ICE's enforcement and removal operations, totaling $10 billion for the fiscal year.

A separate bundle of bills funding other vital departments was also passed and will be combined with the DHS measure and a previously approved package before being forwarded to the Senate. This package features several healthcare initiatives, including $4.6 billion for community health centers, and measures aimed at reining in drug pricing through pharmacy benefit managers.

As the Senate gears up to review this comprehensive six-bill package next week, the debate is expected to intensify, especially among Democrats opposed to the ICE funding. However, the critical funding for the Pentagon and various domestic agencies—which are set at levels significantly above the Trump administration’s initial proposals—might sway some senators to approve the package.

The outcomes of these legislative efforts will not only influence the federal government’s operational capabilities but also reflect the ongoing ideological divides that continue to shape U.S. immigration policy and domestic governance.