Partial government shutdown begins as Congress fails to pass appropriations legislation

On January 31, 2026, about half of the departments of the federal government shut down after Congress fails to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year. A funding bill is passed by the Senate hours before the deadline, funding the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks and other agencies through September, but the House of Representatives is unable to vote in time. The Office of Personnel Management orders affected agencies to commence shutdown procedures at midnight. The delay stems from negotiations over DHS funding and ongoing disputes over immigration enforcement policies. Unlike the full government shutdown of October 2025, this shutdown affects only certain agencies while others remain funded under the Senate-passed bill.