On Thursday morning, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced a $1.2 trillion federal spending package, including funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), after Republican leaders managed to quell internal GOP disputes. The move cleared a significant procedural hurdle known as a “rule vote,” setting up two final House votes on spending bills required to keep the government funded ahead of the January 30 funding deadline and avoid a potential shutdown.
After some drama, House approves the rule to tee up debate on spending bills. That debate is now underway
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 22, 2026
The broader package includes funding for key federal departments such as Defense, Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services, while the DHS portion covers agencies like TSA, CBP, Coast Guard, and ICE. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-04) worked overnight to bring along enough Republicans after some hard-liners threatened to oppose the measure unless a Midwestern priority — creation of a council to explore year-round sales of E15 ethanol fuel — was included.
Johnson’s first challenge has come from unlikely quarters. Midwestern Republicans, typically mild-mannered allies of the GOP leadership, are up in arms that the massive spending package doesn’t include language to make E15 — an ethanol-based biofuel — available for year-round purchase.
The ringleaders in this intra-Republican fight include GOP Reps. Zach Nunn and Ashley Hinson of Iowa, and Reps. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.).
Oil-rich states like Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana would be natural opponents of this move. Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise are from Louisiana. House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole is from Oklahoma. Senate Republican leaders are also opposed to the E15 policy change.
READ MORE: Dems' ICE Tantrum: Now Holding Up $1.2T Spending Bill
The Next Big Spending Bill Is Out, but DHS Funding Is Mysteriously Absent
Despite the compromise, the DHS and ICE funding provisions remain a flashpoint for both progressive Democrats and some conservatives. The proposal maintains ICE’s budget at roughly current levels but includes modest reductions to enforcement and removal funding, and adds requirements for body cameras and additional training for agents — changes that have not appeased many Democrats. Republicans argue the bill also funds essential homeland security functions, and averting a shutdown is critical.
Most Democrats are expected to oppose the package over concerns that it does not sufficiently rein in ICE’s operations, even as their party debates how to respond to recent controversies surrounding the agency.
The rule vote sets up two final House votes regarding FY 2026 spending, before members leave town ahead of the weekend and the incoming winter storm.
One would fund the departments of War, Education, Labor and Health and Human Services. A second one would fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which also includes funding for ICE.
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If passed, the two separate spending packages will later be joined together for consideration in the Senate.
RedState will continue to follow the votes and provide an update as warranted.
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