Partial Government Shutdown Continues, Impacting New Jersey

Senate fails to advance DHS funding, leaving 270,000 federal employees in limbo

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The partial government shutdown that began on February 14, 2026 continues as the Senate has yet to vote on a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill for the 2026 budget. This shutdown is impacting around 270,000 federal employees, many of whom are based in New Jersey and work for agencies like ICE, the Coast Guard, TSA, and FEMA. Flights out of Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia airports could also be affected by the shutdown.

Why it matters

The ongoing partial government shutdown is having far-reaching impacts on New Jersey residents, from federal employees facing furloughs and missed paychecks to potential travel disruptions at major airports. The political stalemate in Congress over DHS funding, particularly related to immigration enforcement, is creating uncertainty and hardship for many in the state.

The details

The partial government shutdown began on February 14, 2026 when funding lapsed for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees several key agencies like ICE, Border Patrol, the Coast Guard, TSA, and FEMA. While ICE and Border Patrol are fully funded through 2029 thanks to the GOP's "One Big Beautiful Bill", other DHS agencies are not as fortunate. The Senate returned on February 26 but did not have plans to vote on a DHS funding bill, as Democrats and Republicans remain at odds over the issue, particularly around reforms to ICE.

  • The partial government shutdown started on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
  • The Senate returned on February 26, 2026 but did not have plans to vote on a DHS funding bill.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who cast blame on the "Democrat shutdown" during his State of the Union address.

Chuck Schumer

The New York Democratic senator who says he won't vote to fund DHS unless major reforms are made to ICE.

James Lankford

The Oklahoma Republican senator who said live on the Senate floor that there were no plans for a Senate vote on a DHS funding bill.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

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.