Operations at the United States Department of Homeland Security ground to a halt early Saturday morning after Congress failed to approve new funding before the deadline. The agency’s budget officially expired at 12:01 a.m., leaving several of its components facing uncertainty as lawmakers departed Washington without reaching a compromise.
The funding lapse could stretch for at least 10 days, as both the House and Senate are not scheduled to reconvene until February 23. Unless leaders call members back sooner to vote on an agreement, portions of the department may remain partially closed during that period. The stalemate has intensified tensions between the White House and Democratic lawmakers, largely centered on proposed changes to immigration enforcement policies.
Talks between administration officials and Democratic leaders have been ongoing for weeks, particularly after federal agents fatally shot two American citizens in Minnesota last month. The incident renewed scrutiny over enforcement tactics and sparked calls for stricter oversight. While both sides have exchanged proposals, negotiations have yet to produce a breakthrough.
As a result of the shutdown, thousands of federal workers under agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Transportation Security Administration, and the United States Coast Guard will temporarily go without pay. Despite the funding gap, many employees are expected to remain on duty because their positions are classified as essential to national security and public safety.
In contrast, immigration-focused agencies at the center of the dispute — including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection — are likely to experience fewer disruptions. Both entities continue to draw from approximately $75 billion allocated last year under former President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy legislation, often referred to by him as a “big, beautiful bill.” That funding allows them to sustain operations and compensate staff even as other branches of DHS face financial strain.
Before leaving the capital, Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that lawmakers are prepared to return if negotiators strike a deal. He said members have been advised to stay ready in case a compromise is reached that requires immediate voting.
Earlier in the week, Senate Republicans attempted to move forward with a measure to finance DHS through the remainder of the fiscal year. The effort failed to clear the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster, ending in a 52–47 vote. Only one Democrat, Senator John Fetterman, sided with Republicans.
Democratic leaders maintain that they will not endorse another short-term extension without substantive reforms. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for firm limits on enforcement practices, arguing that Americans have witnessed troubling incidents across multiple communities and expect Congress to intervene.
A senior administration official confirmed that Democrats declined the White House’s latest counteroffer. While expressing willingness to continue negotiations, the official criticized proposals that would restrict arrests conducted without judicial warrants. Republicans, meanwhile, have placed responsibility for the shutdown on Democrats, insisting that immigration enforcement will proceed uninterrupted even as other DHS functions navigate the funding lapse.
