Overview
- OMB Director Russell Vought ordered an orderly shutdown as DHS appropriations expired, sending thousands of employees into furloughs or unpaid essential work.
- ICE continues enforcement using last year’s appropriations under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, insulating immigration operations during the lapse.
- House Democrats are holding back DHS funding while seeking reforms such as reduced patrols, a warrant requirement to enter private property, and a ban on face coverings for ICE agents.
- Travelers may face longer security lines since most TSA staff must work without pay, though FAA air traffic controllers remain funded and widespread cancellations are less likely initially.
- The White House sent a counterproposal that Senate GOP leader John Thune called extremely serious, but Democrats rejected it, and any funding bill still needs 60 Senate votes to pass.