Is a partial government shutdown coming over DHS funding?

By Easton Martin | January 28, 2026

Washington faces a significant risk of a partial government shutdown this Friday, January 30. The current standoff threatens only specific agencies, contrasting with the full funding lapse seen late last year.

Congress has already enacted full year appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, and the Legislative Branch. These sectors will remain fully operational regardless of the outcome on Capitol Hill this week.​The primary obstacle to a deal is the funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

Senate Democrats have blocked the DHS funding bill following the recent controversial shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis. This specific dispute has stalled the progress of the broader “minibus” package intended to fund the remaining agencies. House leadership successfully passed a measure to fund the government through September, but the Senate has not yet brought the legislation to a vote.​Roughly half of the federal government will cease non essential operations at midnight on Friday if no agreement is reached.

The political environment remains volatile as the deadline approaches. While Congress often utilizes short term extensions to buy negotiation time, the emotionally charged nature of the DHS conflict makes a quick fix less certain. Lawmakers are currently scrambling to see if they can separate the homeland security funding from the wider package to prevent a disruption in federal services.