U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA‑03) this week joined a narrow House majority to pass a federal spending package aimed at ending a partial government shutdown. The $1.2 trillion bill was approved in a 217‑214 vote on February 3, 2026, and provides full-year funding for most federal agencies while extending funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through February 13 to allow continued negotiations over immigration enforcement reforms and oversight measures. This vote followed similar action in the Senate earlier in the week.NBC News and AP News reported

On February 3, 2026, the House passed the funding package with bipartisan support, including votes from 20‑plus Democrats, to avoid broader government disruption.Washington Post and The Guardian confirmed

Earlier, on January 22, Gluesenkamp Perez was among just seven House Democrats who broke with their party to vote in favor of a standalone DHS funding bill, a move broadly seen as necessary to secure funding for FEMA, Coast Guard, TSA, and other services vital to her district, even as many Democrats withheld support in protest of ICE practices in Minneapolis.NBC News and Wikipedia reported

Following her vote on January 22, Gluesenkamp Perez issued a statement emphasizing the importance of DHS programs to communities like hers. She pointed specifically to the Coast Guard and FEMA, saying she “could not in good conscience vote to shut it down.” She also warned that during a shutdown, ICE—already prefunded via the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a measure she voted against—would continue operations with limited oversight, and agencies like FEMA and the Coast Guard would suffer, undermining Congress’s ability to conduct oversight.Official press release

In her February 3 statement after voting to end the shutdown, Gluesenkamp Perez reiterated her horror at recent killings of U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis and called for a transparent, independent investigation. She stressed that shutdowns only handicap congressional oversight and allow agencies like ICE to avoid casework—citing communications to her office indicating regional ICE offices would not field inquiries during a shutdown.Official press release

Why This Matters Locally

Gluesenkamp Perez’s stance reflects a balancing act familiar to Cowlitz County residents. Her district relies on DHS‑administered services—from Coast Guard search-and-rescue missions along the Pacific Coast to FEMA support following landslides or flooding—that deliver critical assistance to her constituents. At the same time, she amplifies concerns about ICE conduct and the imperative of legislative oversight to safeguard constitutional rights.

Conclusion

In a narrowly divided House, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez cast her vote to keep the government open—preserving essential services relied upon by her constituents—while pressing for stronger oversight of federal law enforcement operations. Her position underscores the pressures faced by swing‑district representatives to reconcile constituent needs with accountability demands, and highlights the limits shutdowns place on the legislative branch’s ability to govern effectively.

Sources:
Washington Post: How every House member voted on the shutdown and ICE funding
The Guardian: US House passes $1.2tn funding bill, ending partial government shutdown
NBC News: House passes sprawling spending package as Democrats split over ICE funding
AP News: House passes bill to end the partial government shutdown, sending the measure to Trump
Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez official press releases (January 22, 2026; February 3, 2026)