DHS funding lapses triggering partial government shutdown

Congress failed to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security after a continuing resolution expired. Funding for the agency lapsed on Saturday, February 14, 2026, resulting in a partial government shutdown. No other parts of the federal government are shut down or at risk of shutdown. All other federal agencies are funded through September 30 of this year. The Departments of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development received funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 enacted on February 3, 2026. Funding for the Department of Agriculture, which covers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Rural Housing Service, was approved on November 12. The shutdown centers on funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol. Democrats are advocating for restrictions and guardrails on these agencies as part of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations. Immigration enforcement activities continue despite the shutdown because HR 1 included significant funding for this purpose. The Transportation Security Administration is shut down, with employees not being paid. However, 95 percent of TSA employees are essential workers and continue to report to work without pay. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's ability to reimburse states for disaster relief costs would be delayed. The Secret Service and the Coast Guard are also impacted by the shutdown. Like TSA employees, a high number of their staff are essential and must work without pay. Congress remains in recess until February 23 and does not appear close to a deal that would prompt an early return to end the shutdown. It is unclear how long the shutdown will last. The first missed paycheck for affected employees will occur on February 27, 2026.