Congress Departs as DHS Funding Lapses, Governors Prepare for Controversial White House Visit

President Trump to host first Board of Peace meeting amid NATO allies' declines

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Members of Congress will be away from Capitol Hill this week despite a partial government shutdown beginning Saturday morning, as funding for the Department of Homeland Security has lapsed. Meanwhile, the nation’s governors are heading to Washington for the National Governors Association meetings, which have been met with controversy after Trump initially only invited Republican governors to the White House. Additionally, President Trump is set to host the first official Board of Peace meeting on Thursday, though many NATO allies have declined invitations to join.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown will affect key agencies like the Coast Guard, FEMA, and TSA, raising concerns about public safety and disaster response. The controversy around the governors’ meeting highlights the continued partisan divide in Washington, while Trump’s Board of Peace meeting signals his efforts to advance his own foreign policy agenda despite lacking support from traditional U.S. allies.

The details

Lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on the DHS budget, leading to a partial government shutdown starting Saturday. This will impact agencies like the Coast Guard, FEMA, and TSA, though ICE and CBP operations are largely funded through the Big Beautiful Bill Act. The governors’ meeting has been controversial, as Trump initially only invited Republicans before reversing course. He also excluded the Democratic governors of Colorado and Maryland, who have clashed with the president. On Thursday, Trump will host the first Board of Peace meeting, which he created to oversee the Gaza peace plan. However, many NATO allies have declined invitations to participate.

  • The partial government shutdown began on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • The National Governors Association meetings are taking place this week in Washington, D.C.
  • The first Board of Peace meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who created the Board of Peace and initially only invited Republican governors to the White House meeting.

Jared Polis

The Democratic governor of Colorado who has clashed with President Trump and was excluded from the annual White House dinner for governors.

Wes Moore

The Democratic governor of Maryland who has also clashed with President Trump and was excluded from the annual White House dinner for governors.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to work together, despite our differences, to address the critical issues facing our nation.”

— Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado (Twitter)

“Excluding governors from both parties is a disservice to the American people. We must put politics aside and focus on the real challenges our states are facing.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland (Facebook)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Walker Reed Quinn, the man accused of repeatedly vandalizing Waymo vehicles, to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This week's events in Washington highlight the continued partisan divide and the Trump administration's efforts to advance its own agenda, even at the expense of traditional alliances and bipartisan cooperation. The partial government shutdown and the controversy surrounding the governors' meeting underscore the need for lawmakers to put politics aside and focus on addressing the pressing issues facing the country.