House Speaker Mike Johnson stated on Sunday that he is optimistic about securing the votes necessary to conclude the partial government shutdown by Tuesday, as the House prepares to consider a Senate-approved spending measure this week.
“Let’s say I am quite confident we can achieve it by Tuesday at the latest,” the Louisiana Republican remarked during NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
The U.S. government experienced a partial shutdown starting Saturday morning after Congress was unable to finalize a spending bill and present it to President Donald Trump by the January 30 deadline.
Senate Democrats insisted on alterations to the package initially passed by the House following the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by federal immigration officers in Minnesota. Ultimately, Democrats had the Department of Homeland Security funding removed from the proposal and substituted with a two-week temporary funding measure for the agency. The modified package now requires reapproval from the House.
The House is scheduled to initiate the bill discussion on Monday. The House Rules Committee will convene on Monday, marking the initial phase of that process.
Johnson stated he does not expect Democratic cooperation to expedite the bill under a “suspension of the rules,” which would necessitate a two-thirds majority in the House.
“We are facing the logistical hurdle of ensuring everyone is present, and based on my discussion with [Democratic Leader] Hakeem Jeffries, it is clear we need to set a rule and will likely handle this mostly independently,” Johnson mentioned.
House Democrats are insisting on guarantees that modifications to DHS’s immigration policies will be implemented before they cast their votes on the spending bill.
“We will engage in that discussion later today and upon our return to Washington. However, we have publicly stated that a solid approach towards significant reform is necessary,” said Jeffries, D-N.Y., on ABC’s “This Week” when questioned about how he and his party would vote.
“The administration must not only make promises but also take action. This needs to start today. Not in two weeks, but today,” he asserted.
Sources acquainted with the situation informed MS NOW over the weekend that Jeffries conversed with Johnson and indicated that Democrats will not support the fast-tracking of the spending bill, which might put the resolution of the shutdown at risk this week.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., declared during “Meet the Press” on Sunday that he will oppose the bill when it is presented.
“I am not a mere no vote; I am an adamant ‘no,’ and I will encourage my colleagues to follow suit,” Khanna stated. “I cannot in good conscience support additional funding for ICE agents as they infringe upon our constitutional rights.”
The Democratic resistance to the bill complicates Johnson’s task of pushing the proposal through. He presently holds a delicate 218-213 majority in the House, which is expected to diminish further after Democrat Christian Menefee secured a special election in Texas.
“My margin is just one vote, indeed, for the remainder of 2026,” Johnson stated. “However, we aim to show once again that we are the party committed to governance.”
Along with the temporary funding for DHS, the proposal comprises measures to comprehensively finance the departments of Defense, Treasury, State, Health and Human Services, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Education for the rest of the fiscal year.
This report is ongoing. Please return for future updates.
