Government Funding Deadline Looms as House Returns Amid ICE Controversy

Washington Braces for High-Stakes Funding Vote as Immigration Debate Intensifies

WASHINGTON — The U.S. federal government remains in a partial shutdown, with its full operation hinging on a high-stakes vote expected Tuesday when the House of Representatives reconvenes. While the Senate passed a stopgap funding measure over the weekend—reportedly with President Donald Trump's approval—the outcome in the House is uncertain. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) faces an immediate challenge: mustering near-unanimous support from his razor-thin Republican majority, currently holding a 218-213 edge.

"We have a governing mandate, however narrow, and we intend to fulfill it," Johnson told CNBC, referencing his one-vote margin. "This week will show the American people which party is serious about keeping the lights on."

The temporary Senate bill maintains current funding levels for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for two weeks, aiming to create a window for bipartisan negotiations. However, it faces fierce headwinds from House Democrats, who are demanding stricter accountability measures for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) before approving any funding. The push follows recent controversies over ICE enforcement actions in Minnesota.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) has emerged as a leading voice against the bill. "Funding an agency without basic reforms, while its budget has tripled and it faces serious allegations, is unconscionable," Khanna stated. "I will vote 'no' and urge my colleagues to do the same." Despite this, some Democrats indicated during a private conference call Sunday a willingness to support the package to avoid a prolonged shutdown.

President Trump, meanwhile, has signaled he wants a resolution. In a weekend interview, he expressed hope that lawmakers would "use their heads" to prevent further disruption.

Officers Identified in Minneapolis Shooting; Senator Demands Answers

In a related development, the two federal immigration officers involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis have been identified. According to records obtained by ProPublica, they are Border Patrol Agent Jesus Ochoa, 43, and Customs and Border Protection Officer Raymundo Gutierrez, 35. Both are seasoned agents from South Texas, with Gutierrez serving on a specialized CBP response team that handles high-risk operations.

The incident has drawn scrutiny from Capitol Hill. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has called for top immigration officials to testify before the Homeland Security Committee, challenging the administration's initial characterization of the event. Appearing on 60 Minutes, Paul disputed claims that Pretti was seen assaulting officers in available video footage.

Epstein Documents Reveal Broader Network of Contacts

Separately, newly unsealed court documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case reveal previously undisclosed communications between the financier and several high-profile figures. Emails from 2012 show Epstein corresponding with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, and other business leaders. In one exchange, Musk inquires about "the wildest party" on Epstein's island, contradicting his past statements about avoiding the disgraced financier. The documents continue to fuel questions about the extent of Epstein's social and professional network.

Around the Nation

• D.C. Recovery: Washington, D.C., residents continue to grapple with the aftermath of a major snowstorm, with many schools closed for a sixth consecutive day. The city has deployed heavy equipment to clear persistent ice and snow.
• Culture & Politics: At the Grammy Awards, artists including Bad Bunny used acceptance speeches to criticize ICE. Elsewhere, pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted a talk by New York Times columnist Ezra Klein at Sarah Lawrence College.
• Entertainment: A documentary about First Lady Melania Trump opened with a strong $7 million weekend. Casting rumors for an upcoming film adaptation of The Odyssey have drawn public criticism from Elon Musk.
• Obituary: Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara, known for her roles in Home Alone and Schitt's Creek, has passed away at 71.

Reader Reactions:

"This shutdown brinkmanship is political theater at the expense of federal workers and citizens. Holding DHS funding hostage over ICE policy might be morally right, but it's a dangerous game when services are on the line." — Michael Torres, Political Science Professor, Georgetown University

"The identification of the officers in the Pretti case is a bare minimum step. Where is the accountability? These agents operated with a shocking lack of transparency until the press forced their names out. This system is broken." — Anya Sharma, Civil Rights Attorney (Minneapolis)

"The Epstein documents are a sideshow distracting from the real issue: a broken budget process. Both parties need to pass a clean funding bill and then have a separate, sober debate on immigration enforcement." — David Chen, Small Business Owner, Virginia

"Every new email from the Epstein files implicates another 'respectable' elite. It's naive to think these were just casual exchanges. The whole network needs investigating, not just the man who's already dead." — Rebecca Vance, Journalist & Commentator