Senate Democrats Strike Deal with White House, But Partial Government Shutdown Begins
WASHINGTON, February 1, 2026 – A partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government commenced over the weekend after Congress failed to pass a full slate of spending bills before a midnight deadline. The lapse, however, is expected to be brief following a rare funding agreement between Senate Democrats and the White House, which passed the upper chamber on Friday.
Weekend Shutdown Triggered by DHS Impasse
The funding crisis was precipitated by a Democratic-led push to reform Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the wake of recent protester deaths. Insisting that any funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) include restrictions on these agencies, Senate Democrats forced a separation of the DHS appropriations from a larger package that funded the rest of the government.
While the Senate passed five other annual funding bills—covering Defense, Financial Services, and other major departments—the DHS bill was set aside. This created a two-tiered deadline: funding for most agencies was secured, but funding for DHS, along with the Departments of Transportation and others, lapsed at 12:01 AM on Saturday, January 31.
Key Facts & Legislative Status
| Component | Status as of February 1 |
|---|---|
| Senate-Passed Funding Package | Passed Friday, January 30 (71-29). Funds most government agencies through September 2026. |
| DHS Funding | Separated into a two-week continuing resolution (CR) to allow for further negotiation on ICE/CBP reforms. |
| House Action | Expected to vote on both the main package and the DHS CR early the week of February 2. |
| Shutdown Impact | Deemed minimal for now, as the lapse began on a weekend. Essential services continue. |
| Total Package Value | Approximately $1.2 trillion. |
Path Forward Awaits House Vote
The Senate’s compromise, endorsed by President Trump, now moves to the House of Representatives, which adjourned for the weekend without taking a vote. This procedural delay triggered the partial shutdown. House leadership has indicated it plans to bring the legislation to the floor early next week, with a vote potentially as soon as Tuesday. Passage in the House would fund the affected agencies and end the shutdown, though DHS would operate under a short-term extension until a final agreement is reached.
Analysts note that the immediate practical impact of the shutdown is limited, as most federal employees do not work on weekends and essential functions like national security and air traffic control continue uninterrupted. However, prolonged uncertainty could disrupt programs like farm loans and administrative functions for SNAP food assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which parts of the government are shut down?
The shutdown is partial, affecting agencies whose funding expired. This includes the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Transportation, and related sub-agencies. Departments like Defense, which were included in the passed Senate package, remain funded.
Why is Homeland Security funding separate?
Senate Democrats, angered by the deaths of two individuals during recent immigration enforcement actions, demanded that the DHS funding bill include specific reforms and restrictions on ICE and CBP operations. To avoid a full shutdown, negotiators agreed to “strip out” the DHS bill and fund it temporarily for two weeks while talks continue.
When will the shutdown end?
The shutdown is expected to be short-lived. The House of Representatives is scheduled to reconvene and vote on the Senate-passed funding package early in the week of February 2. If passed, funding would be restored, ending the lapse.