Overview
- White House officials say the parties are still "pretty far apart," and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Democrats’ latest counteroffer "very unserious."
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries insists funding will not advance without reforms including judicial warrants, mandatory body cameras, a ban on masks, stricter use‑of‑force rules and limits on roving patrols.
- Congress is in recess and recalling lawmakers could take 48 to 72 hours, lowering prospects for a rapid vote to restore DHS funding.
- About 95% of TSA employees are required to work without pay; staff expect only a partial Feb. 28 paycheck and would miss a full paycheck on March 14 if the lapse persists.
- ICE and CBP continue operating largely uninterrupted using carryover funds from last year’s "One Big Beautiful Bill," while FEMA has paused processing for many grants, leaving approved payments temporarily frozen.