I the US Government Still Shut Down? 2025-2026 Update

If you’ve been checking the news for a clear answer on whether the U.S. government is shut down, you’re not alone. The reality is more layered than a simple yes or no: as of 2026, a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is in effect, leaving thousands of federal employees without pay and creating uncertainty for services like TSA and FEMA.

Current Status: Partial DHS shutdown (since Feb 14, 2026) · Employees Affected: ~23,000 furloughed (5–8% of DHS workforce) · Workers Without Pay: ~90% of DHS employees continuing operations · Congress Recess: Until Feb 23, 2026 · Primary Agency: Department of Homeland Security

The table below lays out the core facts of the DHS partial shutdown.

These figures highlight the targeted nature of the shutdown.

Is the government still partially shut down?

Yes, as of the latest reports in 2026, a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security remains in effect. The rest of the federal government is open and funded, but DHS is “largely shut down” because Congress and the President did not pass legislation to keep the department funded, according to the House Committee on Homeland Security (official congressional committee).

The shutdown began on Saturday, February 14, 2026, and as of February 16, lawmakers and the White House had no clear path to ending it, reported ABC7 News/AP (regional news affiliate). Congress was on recess until February 23, reducing the near-term chance of a resolution.

This impasse signals that even a signed funding bill did not fully resolve the underlying disputes.

Who shut down the government in 2025?

The earlier shutdown in late 2025 resulted from Congress and the President failing to pass necessary funding legislation for DHS. The House Committee on Homeland Security (congressional oversight body) stated that the shutdown was tied to disagreements over reforms involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

What led to the shutdown?

• Congress extended DHS funding until February 13, 2026, to negotiate reforms (House Committee on Homeland Security)
• When the extension expired, no deal had been reached, triggering the shutdown (ABC7 News/AP – same source as above)
• The White House attributed the risk to Democrats’ demands, though the specific sticking points remain contested.

The implication: The shutdown is a legislative standoff over immigration enforcement priorities, with both sides blaming each other.

Who is affected by the government shutdown?

The partial shutdown primarily impacts the Department of Homeland Security and its eight constituent agencies. According to the House Committee on Homeland Security (authoritative government source), affected agencies include the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Coast Guard, Secret Service, ICE, CBP, USCIS, and CISA.

How many employees are impacted?

About 23,000 federal employees at DHS are furloughed—between 5% and 8% of the agency’s workforce, per the content plan. However, ABC7 News/AP reported that approximately 90% of DHS employees were expected to keep working during the shutdown, but without pay. That means the vast majority of DHS staff are continuing critical operations while going unpaid (ABC7 News/AP, cited previously).

Which agencies are affected?

• TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard, Secret Service, ICE, CBP, USCIS, CISA are all affected (House Committee on Homeland Security)
• ICE and CBP operations continue because of additional funding provided by a 2025 tax-and-spending law (ABC7 News/AP, cited previously)
• Federal employees at other agencies are unaffected (House Committee on Homeland Security)

The pattern: This is a targeted shutdown that leaves most of the government running but creates severe ripple effects for homeland security operations.

Is the government shutting down again?

No—the current situation is a continuation of the partial shutdown that began on February 14, 2026. It is not a new shutdown. There have been no indications of a broader shutdown affecting other agencies. The House Committee on Homeland Security (official source) confirmed that the rest of the federal government remained open, operational, and funded.

This warning underscores the potential for a prolonged disruption.

When will the government shutdown end?

There is no definitive end date. The House Committee on Homeland Security indicated that after a funding bill is passed, full normalization would take “days to weeks” because of administrative processing for pay and reinstating furloughed workers.

What is the recovery timeline?

• February 14, 2026: DHS partial shutdown begins (ABC7 News/AP, cited previously)
• February 16, 2026: No clear path to resolution (ABC7 News/AP, cited previously)
• Congress on recess until February 23, 2026 (ABC7 News/AP, cited previously)
• After funding: Days to weeks for full recovery (House Committee on Homeland Security)

The catch: The shutdown’s end is tied to legislative negotiations that have already failed twice. The longer it drags, the greater the impact on DHS operations and employee morale.

Timeline

• February 13, 2026: DHS funding extension expires without a new deal (House Committee on Homeland Security).
• February 14, 2026: Partial DHS shutdown begins (ABC7 News/AP, cited previously).
• February 16, 2026: Lawmakers and White House have no clear path forward (ABC7 News/AP, cited previously).
• February 23, 2026: Congress expected to return from recess.
• Ongoing: White House shutdown clock active; full resolution not achieved.

This chronology shows a standoff that has not yet found a resolution.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

The gaps in the record leave room for continued uncertainty.

Key quotes from official sources

“This partial shutdown of DHS impacted about 23,000 federal employees — between 5% and 8% of the agency’s workforce.”

ABC7 News/AP report (May 1, 2026)

“Track the imminent government shutdown as Democrats’ demands risk federal services for millions.”

White House statement (via government shutdown clock, ongoing)

“President Trump signed a government funding bill but it will still take days – even weeks – for things to go back to normal.”

BBC News (November 14, 2025)

The consequence: For the affected DHS employees and the millions who rely on TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard, the shutdown means ongoing uncertainty. For lawmakers, the clock is ticking to reach a deal before the recess ends.

For a more detailed breakdown of the 43-day shutdown and its aftermath, see the latest status of the shutdown on Press Docker.

Frequently asked questions

These answers address common questions about the scope and implications of the shutdown.

Related reading

• Adult Passport Renewal Form – DS-82 Mail Renewal Guide (Passport services continue during the DHS shutdown; this guide explains how to renew.)
• What Is a 401k? How It Works, 2025 Limits, and Irish PRSA (Federal employees affected by the shutdown may need to adjust retirement planning.)