Government Shutdown 2026 update: US could shut down this weekend — what it means for Americans

The US government could face a partial shutdown starting Friday at midnight if Congress does not pass new funding laws. Lawmakers are struggling to agree on legislation that funds the remaining parts of the federal government for 2026. There are 12 funding bills needed each year, and 6 have already been approved and signed into law by the president.

The remaining 6 funding bills cover about 78–80% of the federal government, making this week very important, as reported by Yahoo Finance. Because only half the government is unfunded, this shutdown would be more limited than last year’s shutdown. The last shutdown happened in Trump’s second term and lasted 43 days, the longest in US history.

Funding talks broke down after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a US citizen, during protests in Minneapolis. Videos show Pretti was disarmed before he was shot, according to a report by NBC News. This incident brought back anger after another US citizen, Renee Good, was shot and killed earlier this month in Minneapolis by an ICE officer. After these shootings, Senate Democrats said they will block a major funding bill.

Democrats vs Republicans

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats will not allow the DHS funding bill to move forward. Schumer said agencies like ICE and CBP need an “overhaul” before Democrats agree to fund them. Democrats are united, and since 60 votes are needed in the Senate, they can block the bill together.

Schumer said Democrats are willing to pass five other funding bills if DHS is separated out. Republicans want to pass all six bills as one big package and are moving ahead with a vote, as stated by NBC News. The House of Representatives is not in session this week and returns on Feb. 2, making a last-minute fix harder.

Which agencies are at risk

If funding lapses, DHS could shut down, affecting many agencies. Agencies at risk include ICE, Border Patrol, TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard, as noted by NBC News. Other departments at risk include Defense, State, Treasury, Transportation, Health and Human Services, and HUD. The Defense Department alone accounts for $831 billion of the unfunded spending.

Even if the government shuts down, ICE operations would continue. ICE workers would be labeled “excepted employees,” meaning they must work without pay, as per the report by NBC News. ICE has $75 billion in extra funding from Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed last year. Because of that money, ICE could continue operations for years, even during a shutdown. Rep. Rosa DeLauro confirmed ICE funding would stay strong, even if other agencies suffer.

Economic data impact

A shutdown could delay or cancel important economic data releases. The Department of Labor is at risk, which releases the jobs report and CPI inflation data, as stated by Yahoo Finance. If Labor shuts down, jobs numbers and inflation reports could be delayed. The Commerce Department is already funded, so GDP and PCE inflation data will continue.

PCE inflation data is important because it is the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure. Some PCE data relies on CPI data, so overlaps could still cause issues. Analysts expect the shutdown to be short, limiting long-term data damage. Economist Stephen Juneau warned missing data can still confuse markets and policymakers.

Airport and travel impact

Air travelers could face delays and disruptions if the shutdown happens. TSA falls under DHS, so its funding is uncertain, as cited by Yahoo Finance. Air traffic controllers, overseen by the FAA, could also be affected. During past shutdowns, controllers and TSA workers worked without pay, leading to staff shortages. Last year, this caused flight limits and airport chaos due to fewer controllers.

SNAP food benefits will continue, no matter what happens. SNAP funding was extended through September, protecting low-income Americans. WIC benefits for women, infants, and children are also safe through the fiscal year. National parks and Smithsonian museums will remain open, as per NBC News.

Taxes and the IRS

The IRS funding is still uncertain as tax filing season has begun. Analysts expect the IRS to keep processing tax returns, even during a shutdown. Any delays in refunds are expected to be minor, as per the report by Yahoo Finance.

If funding expires Friday night, this would be the second shutdown in four months. Polling from the last shutdown showed Republicans took more blame, even though Democrats blocked the bill, as per the report by NBC News. With time running out and Congress divided, a partial shutdown now looks increasingly likely.

FAQs

Q1. When could the US government shutdown start in 2026?

A possible partial shutdown could start late Friday night if Congress does not pass funding bills.

Q2. Will food benefits stop during the US government shutdown?

No, SNAP and WIC food benefits will continue even if a shutdown happens.