The House of Representatives took a crucial step on Thursday, January 8, 2026, to avoid another government shutdown by passing three major appropriations bills to fund essential government operations.

On that date, the House approved the Commerce, Justice, and Science bill, the Energy and Water bill, and the Interior and Environment bill with a strong bipartisan vote of 397 to 28, splitting votes on the commerce legislation separately before combining all for a final tally, and now sends them to the Senate for review amid looming deadlines at the end of the month.

The passage of these bills represents a hard-fought win for GOP leadership, though not without friction, as 27 Republicans opposed the final package, largely over concerns with the commerce portion.

GOP Leadership Navigates Internal Dissent

Let’s be frank: getting nearly 400 votes in a divided House isn’t a small feat, but the cracks in GOP unity are worth noting.

A separate vote on the commerce bill was arranged to let fiscal conservatives vent their frustration, and vent they did, though most ultimately backed the combined package.

One sticking point was an earmark by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) for over $1 million in the Commerce, Justice, and Science bill, which was stripped out on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after Republicans demanded its removal over concerns about alleged fraud tied to certain Minnesota organizations.

Earmark Removal Sparks Policy Debate

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) didn’t hold back on this win, declaring, “Chalk one up for the good guys,” and adding, “Proud to work the last two days to stop the outrageous Ilhan Omar $1 million Somali earmark. Much more to do.”

While Roy’s gusto is understandable, given the need for fiscal accountability, one wonders if this sets a precedent for axing projects over regional disputes rather than merit.

Still, the move secured enough GOP votes to push through a procedural hurdle on Wednesday, showing that sometimes pragmatism trumps principle in D.C.

Senate Challenges Loom on Horizon

Now, the bills head to the Senate, where bipartisan support from top appropriators offers hope, and the White House has signaled that advisers would back President Trump signing them if unchanged.

Yet, Colorado senators have placed a hold on all appropriations since December 2025, frustrated by the administration’s push to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, a snag that previously stalled a larger five-bill package.

This holdup isn’t just a petty grudge—it’s a reminder that regional interests can grind national progress to a halt if not addressed.

ICE Shooting Adds New Tension

Complicating matters further, a shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, has some Democrats, like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), eyeing restrictions on ICE in future appropriations, saying during a press conference on Thursday that they “will take a look” at such measures.

While Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) offered a softer take, suggesting there are “other ways to deal with ICE,” the impulse to use funding bills as a battleground for broader policy fights is a slippery slope that could derail urgent spending needs.

Let’s hope cooler heads prevail—government shutdowns hurt everyday Americans far more than they punish any agency, and both parties’ appropriators have made clear they’re done with stopgap continuing resolutions.