US Government Enters Partial Shutdown After Congress Misses 2026 Budget Deadline

The United States government entered a partial shutdown early Saturday after Congress failed to approve the federal budget for fiscal year 2026 before the midnight deadline, triggering a temporary lapse in funding for several government agencies.

The shutdown follows a breakdown in negotiations between lawmakers, with tensions escalating after the fatal shooting of two protesters in Minneapolis by federal immigration agents. The incident has become a flashpoint in ongoing disputes over immigration enforcement and the conduct of federal agencies, particularly the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

While lawmakers from both parties suggested the shutdown may be short-lived, the lapse in funding has already forced non-essential government operations to begin winding down. Congressional leaders indicated that the House of Representatives is expected to vote early next week on a Senate-backed funding package that could restore operations within days.

The immediate trigger for the impasse was Democratic opposition to extending DHS funding without additional safeguards. Democratic senators have demanded that the funding legislation be revised to include stricter limitations on the conduct of federal immigration agents, citing the deaths of two US citizens during protests in Minneapolis. The killings occurred amid a surge of immigration enforcement personnel deployed to the city under directives issued by President Donald Trump.

Democrats have accused the administration of misusing federal resources and escalating tensions through aggressive enforcement tactics. Senate Democratic Minority Whip Dick Durbin said the administration was prioritising the targeting of peaceful protesters instead of focusing on serious criminal activity. In a social media post, Durbin stated that the administration’s approach was making the country “less safe.”

With no agreement reached before the deadline, approximately three-quarters of federal government operations are expected to be affected. Agencies overseeing education, healthcare, housing, and parts of national defense have begun implementing shutdown contingency plans. While essential services such as air traffic control, border security, and law enforcement continue to function, many federal employees face furloughs or are required to work without pay until funding is restored.

Late Friday, the US Senate passed a legislative package covering the remaining five federal appropriations bills, designed to fund most government departments through September. The package also included a two-week stopgap measure aimed at keeping DHS operational while negotiations over immigration policy and enforcement standards continue.

However, the House was not in session when the deadline passed and is not scheduled to reconvene until Monday. House leaders have indicated that once lawmakers return, the Senate-backed proposal is likely to be taken up quickly, raising hopes that the shutdown will be brief.

President Donald Trump expressed support for the Senate-approved funding package and urged House lawmakers to act swiftly to prevent prolonged disruption. The current shutdown marks the second funding lapse of Trump’s second term, following last year’s record-long shutdown that stretched over a month and significantly disrupted federal services.

If the House approves the measure as expected, government funding could be restored within days, limiting the long-term impact on public services and federal workers. However, analysts warn that continued political brinkmanship could undermine confidence in governance and leave critical agencies vulnerable to repeated disruptions.

As negotiations continue, the shutdown has once again highlighted the deep divisions in Washington over immigration, federal authority, and the growing difficulty of passing timely budget legislation.