The US government has partially shut down just 11 weeks after the previous shutdown, which lasted 43 days, the longest in US history.
Despite President Donald Trump striking a deal with Democrats and getting it approved by the Senate to fund most agencies through September. The government shut down as the bill must now be approved by the House of Representatives, which is out of session.
This shutdown is not expected to last much longer as the House of Representatives is set to return to session on Monday, February 2, 2026.
A White House memo directed the Departments of Defense, Education and Transportation to carry out shutdown plans, stating, “Employees must report to work for their next regularly scheduled shift to conduct orderly shutdown activities.”
It added: “It is our hope that this period will be short.”
Democratic lawmakers have only allowed a two-week funding extension for the Department of Homeland Security amid its intense crackdown on immigration.
But they refused to provide additional funding to DHS amid outcry against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations following two fatal shootings involving federal agents.
It is the second government shutdown in nearly a year since President Trump took office. The previous funding impasse began on October 1, 2025 and lasted until November 14, 2025.
