Government Shutdown Hits DHS After Democrats Reject Bipartisan Funding Deal

Dispute over immigration reforms stalls funding for key homeland security agencies

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The third government shutdown in less than a year has begun, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) left without federal funding after Democrats rejected a bipartisan funding deal over demands for immigration policy reforms. The shutdown will impact key DHS agencies like the TSA, Coast Guard, and ICE, with around 90% of DHS's 272,000 employees continuing to work without pay.

Why it matters

The DHS shutdown highlights the ongoing partisan gridlock in Congress over immigration policy, with Democrats pushing for reforms to curb the powers of agencies like ICE and CBP, which Republicans have resisted. The lapse in DHS funding could disrupt critical homeland security operations and services just as the busy summer travel season approaches.

The details

The shutdown began just after midnight on Saturday after Democrats walked away from an initial bipartisan DHS funding plan, demanding significant reforms to rein in agencies like ICE and CBP. Republicans have rejected many of the proposed reforms as non-starters. Key DHS agencies like the TSA, Coast Guard, and ICE will continue operating, but with around 64,000 TSA agents and 56,000 Coast Guard personnel working without pay until the shutdown is resolved.

  • The shutdown began just after midnight on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
  • Congress has completed roughly 97% of its yearly government spending responsibilities, but a deal on DHS funding has proved elusive.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who has pushed for a crackdown on immigration.

Hakeem Jeffries

The House Minority Leader, a Democrat from New York.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader, a Democrat from New York.

John Thune

The Senate Majority Leader, a Republican from South Dakota.

Angus King

An Independent senator from Maine.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Again, the only — the fundamental ask is that ICE abide by the same principles and policies of every other police force in the country, and if we can get there, then we can resolve the problem.”

— Angus King, Senator (Fox News)

“There are a variety of different areas where clearly the administration has fallen short of doing things that make things better for the American people. Until that happens, unfortunately, it appears that Donald Trump and the Republicans have decided to shut down other parts of the Department of Homeland Security.”

— Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader (Fox News)

What’s next

Senate Democrats and the White House are expected to continue negotiating through the weekend and into next week in an effort to reach a compromise on DHS funding and immigration reforms.

The takeaway

The DHS shutdown underscores the deep partisan divisions in Congress over immigration policy, with Democrats pushing for significant reforms to curb the powers of agencies like ICE and CBP, which Republicans have resisted. The lapse in funding could disrupt critical homeland security operations, highlighting the need for bipartisan cooperation to address the nation's complex immigration challenges.