As of Monday morning, February 2, 2026, the United States government remains in a partial shutdown following the expiration of several federal funding authorities at midnight on Saturday. The lapse has left portions of the federal government without appropriations as lawmakers continue negotiations centered on funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Several major agencies remain affected while Congress considers a short-term legislative solution that could reopen parts of the government as early as Tuesday.
Background: Events Driving the Debate
The current funding dispute intensified following a January 24 federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis that resulted in the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and ICU nurse. The incident is under investigation.
Video footage circulated online in the days following the event, prompting renewed scrutiny of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices. The shooting followed a separate enforcement-related fatality earlier in January involving another U.S. citizen, Renee Good.
In response, several Democratic lawmakers have called for changes to federal enforcement policies, linking DHS funding to proposed operational standards for ICE agents.
Legislative Strategy and Senate Action
To prevent a full government shutdown, Senate leadership and the White House advanced a two-part funding approach late last week.
Under the plan, the Senate approved a package funding several federal departments—including Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Transportation—through the end of the fiscal year in September. The measure passed by a 71–29 vote.
DHS funding was separated from the broader package and extended for an additional two weeks. Supporters of the approach described the temporary extension as a mechanism to allow further negotiations on enforcement policies, including proposals related to agent identification and warrant requirements.
The House did not vote on the Senate-approved package before the funding deadline. Lawmakers were in recess over the weekend, and travel disruptions caused by severe winter weather across parts of the Southeast contributed to the delay.
Agencies Affected by the Shutdown
The funding lapse has resulted in a partial shutdown, as several agencies had already received appropriations earlier in the fiscal year.
Agencies currently affected include:
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Homeland Security
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Treasury
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Transportation
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Health and Human Services
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Labor
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Portions of Defense involving civilian operations
Hundreds of thousands of federal employees classified as non-essential have been placed on unpaid furlough. Employees designated as essential, including active-duty military personnel and Transportation Security Administration officers, continue to work without pay.
Agencies that remain funded and operational include:
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Justice
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Agriculture
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Interior
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Veterans Affairs
Next Steps and Timeline
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that the House is expected to consider the Senate’s funding package by Tuesday. Johnson described the vote as necessary to restore government operations while discussions over DHS funding continue.
Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have expressed reservations about passing a short-term DHS extension without additional commitments regarding enforcement oversight. Some Democrats argue that funding negotiations present an opportunity to establish permanent operational standards for ICE.
Negotiations are ongoing, and it remains unclear whether further amendments or assurances will be required to secure passage in the House.
Final Word
With funding expired for several federal agencies, congressional leaders are working within a compressed timeline to pass a short-term solution while negotiations over DHS appropriations continue. Whether lawmakers reach an agreement in the coming days will determine if affected government operations resume this week or if the partial shutdown continues as talks extend into February.
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