Lawmakers in Washington DC are racing to prevent a US government shutdown, with talks focused on the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations.
The push comes after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday. Democrats are demanding that funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) be removed from a $1.2 trillion government spending package. Sources say the White House and Senate Democratic leaders are close to a deal that would introduce new restrictions for federal immigration agents.
What a Partial Shutdown Would Mean
If no agreement is reached, a partial shutdown could begin just after midnight on Friday, 30 January. Not all federal agencies would be affected.
Departments tied to DHS, including Defense, Health and Human Services, Treasury, and federal courts, could see disruptions. This might delay court proceedings, medical research, labor statistics, and tax processing at the IRS.
DHS covers agencies like ICE, the Coast Guard, Secret Service, and Customs and Border Protection. Employees deemed “essential” would continue working.
A Look Back at Previous Shutdowns
The last shutdown in late 2025 lasted 43 days, the longest in US history. It started on 1 October and ended on 12 November. Democrats initially refused to approve the spending bill, demanding that health insurance subsidies for low-income Americans be extended. Eventually, eight Democrats broke with their party and helped pass the bill.
That shutdown affected roughly 1.4 million federal workers, left food aid programs in limbo, and caused major delays in air travel. Since 1981, the US has experienced 16 shutdowns, though most were short.
