Lawmakers Leave Washington as Partial Government Shutdown Looms

Disagreement over immigration enforcement policies threatens DHS funding

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Lawmakers have left Washington for a 10-day recess, making a partial government shutdown over Department of Homeland Security funding almost certain. The fight over DHS funding centers around immigration enforcement, with Democrats wanting to establish a new code of conduct for agents, including removing masks and implementing a stricter use-of-force policy. Republicans have pushed back, arguing ICE agents should keep masks on for their own protection. The White House and Democrats have exchanged proposals, but a resolution remains elusive.

Why it matters

A partial government shutdown would disrupt critical homeland security operations at a time of ongoing concerns about border security and immigration enforcement. The dispute highlights the deep partisan divide over immigration policy and the challenges in finding a compromise.

The details

The White House sent its latest counterproposal to Democrats on Wednesday, but Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic Minority Leader, said it "falls short of the type of dramatic changes necessary in order to change ICE's out of control behavior." President Trump told reporters that some of the Democratic demands would be hard to approve, while Sen. Patty Murray said Democrats would send the White House their own counterproposal over the weekend.

  • Lawmakers left Washington for a 10-day recess on February 13, 2026.
  • A partial government shutdown over DHS funding is set to begin at midnight on February 13, 2026.

The players

Rep. Mike Johnson

Speaker of the House

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries

Democratic Minority Leader

President Donald Trump

President of the United States

Sen. Patty Murray

U.S. Senator

Tom Homan

Former Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

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What they’re saying

“I saw the last proposal sent over to the White House. It is eminently reasonable and gives some very meaningful provisions that were part of the discussions, as I understand it.”

— Rep. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House (kmbc.com)

“My preliminary assessment of it, is that it falls short of the type of dramatic changes necessary in order to change ICE's out of control behavior.”

— Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Minority Leader (kmbc.com)

“The Twin Cities of Minnesota in general are and will continue to be much safer for the communities here because of what we have accomplished under President Trump's leadership.”

— Tom Homan, Former Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (kmbc.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.