Archive · 2 Feb 2026
US Partial Shutdown May End Tuesday
The US government is partially shut down because the House and Senate can't agree on funding bills.
This shutdown is different from the big one last year because it doesn't affect the whole government and might not last long.
The House hopes to pass the funding bills by Tuesday.
Some important programs, like food assistance, are still running.
The shutdown affects some government workers who might not get paid, and it could cause problems like delays in air travel.
The State Department says embassies will stay open, but some services might be affected.
This is the second shutdown since President Trump returned to office last year.
The last shutdown was the longest ever, but this one might end soon.
The partial government shutdown started on January 31, 2024, and may end by February 2, 2024, if the House passes the funding bills.
The shutdown affects the Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security, and Transportation Department, but essential functions continue.
Nutrition assistance programs like SNAP and WIC are fully funded and unaffected by the shutdown.
The State Department will keep embassies open, but some non-emergency services may be affected.
This is the second shutdown since President Trump returned to office, following a record 43-day shutdown last year.
- Who
- US government, House and Senate, President Donald Trump
- What
- Partial government shutdown
- When
- Starting January 31, 2024, expected to end by February 2, 2024
- Where
- United States, with international implications (e.g., State Department operations)
- Why
- Disagreement over funding bills, specifically the Department of Homeland Security funding and immigration enforcement changes
- Shutdown Start Date
- January 31, 2024
- Expected End Date
- February 2, 2024 (at the earliest)
- Affected Agencies
- Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Department
- Unaffected Programs
- Nutrition assistance programs (SNAP, WIC)
- Senate Vote
- 71-29 in favor of the funding package
- House Speaker
- Mike Johnson (R-La.)
- FEMA Funding
- $7 billion to $8 billion for disaster response
- State Department Exemptions
- 18,946 of 27,206 direct-hire American employees