Congress is at an impasse regarding funding legislation. A government shutdown will occur tonight at midnight if the budget for 2026 is not passed in a few hours. This will be the first shutdown in almost seven years and grants President Trump the authority to decide which departments will receive funding.
Currently, the bill is stuck in the Senate, where the members of Congress are clashing over the proposed spending. The proposed bill will make cuts to the 2026 budget which is the point of contention. The programs that protect the preservation of life and property typically remain unharmed, along with those that protect national security.
“Nothing is inevitable, but I would say it’s probably likely,” said Trump about a possible shutdown.
Most Department of Homeland Security employees, including ICE and TSA agents, will continue to work without pay. Immigration court cases will be postponed or cancelled due to the closure of immigration courts.
The Department of the Interior will also face cuts in the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Agriculture. National parks and public lands will still be available for public use, but will be without the usual staffing and maintenance.
The government has avoided shutdowns in the past by raising the debt ceiling or last minute agreements.
Author: Lainey Porter
Photo courtesy of Chris Deluzio
Editor: Hannah Clove
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