KEY POINTS
- House Speaker Mike Johnson faces procedural hurdles to pass a federal funding package amid GOP Democrat disagreement.
- Temporary funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been approved in the Senate, setting a two week window for Congress to negotiate immigration enforcement reforms.
- Federal agencies including defense, health, transportation, and housing are partially affected, with essential operations continuing while some workers may face furloughs.
WASHINGTON — A partial federal government shutdown that began over the weekend is expected to continue into early next week as House Republicans and Democrats clash over a federal funding package and sweeping immigration enforcement operations, House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday.
Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, said a first test of his plan would come Monday during a committee meeting, where his party’s slim House majority must advance the measure without Democratic support. A full House vote on the package is not expected until at least Tuesday, potentially extending the shutdown.
The partial shutdown impacts numerous federal agencies and programs, highlighting ongoing partisan tensions in Washington.
While essential services continue, employees at affected agencies could experience delayed paychecks, and Congress faces growing pressure to reach an agreement quickly.
The dispute centers on funding levels and policy restrictions tied to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategy.
The US government shutdown follows a contentious budget cycle. Last fall, Democrats triggered the longest federal shutdown in US history, lasting 43 days, over health insurance tax credits.
The current impasse was compounded when public outrage arose over two deaths during Minneapolis protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
President Donald Trump brokered a Senate deal to temporarily fund DHS separately from a broader federal funding package.
The two week temporary measure expires while House leaders negotiate additional policy restrictions on ICE operations, a key sticking point for Democrats.
“This shutdown underscores the increasing leverage Congress applies to policy negotiations through appropriations,” said Elaine Kamarck, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
“The next week will test not only Speaker Johnson’s ability to manage his caucus but also the administration’s influence over legislative priorities.”
Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic leader from New York, emphasized reform of DHS operations.
“Judicial warrants should absolutely be required before agents break into homes or remove individuals from vehicles,” Jeffries said on ABC’s This Week.
“Negotiations should start immediately to prevent further disruption to federal operations.”
Mark Silva, an administrative officer at the Department of Transportation, said, “We are still working, but the uncertainty about paychecks is stressful.
Staff morale is low, and project timelines are slipping.” Sen. Susan Collins, Republican from Maine, highlighted procedural complexity.
“The separation of DHS funding provides temporary relief, but the broader budget negotiations remain fraught with partisan tension,” she said.
Lawmakers face a narrow window to pass a comprehensive funding package before the temporary DHS funding expires.
Johnson indicated that coordination with Trump remains critical to securing the necessary votes, while Democrats signal they will hold firm on ICE policy reforms. Further delays could prolong the shutdown, affecting federal operations and workers’ pay.
The partial government shutdown of 2026 illustrates the ongoing challenges in reconciling congressional budget processes with contentious policy priorities.
As House Republicans and Democrats navigate complex procedural and political hurdles, essential federal operations continue under strain, with a resolution likely only after intense negotiations in the coming week.
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