2026 Shutdown Crisis: Democrats Say No to House Funding Measure
A partial shutdown of the US federal government is expected to last until at least Tuesday, after House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries warned Republicans they cannot rely on Democratic votes to pass a stopgap funding bill.
The House of Representatives is not expected to vote on the Senate approved package until early next week, leaving large parts of the federal government closed after funding expired at midnight on Friday.
House Speaker Mike Johnson faces growing uncertainty over whether he can muster enough Republican support to advance the legislation, which would fund most government departments through the end of September. The agreement, negotiated by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and US President Donald Trump, provides just two weeks of funding for the Department of Homeland Security to allow further negotiations on immigration enforcement.
Democrats refuse fast track vote
The bill must first pass a procedural step known as a rule vote, which sets the terms for debate. All House Democrats are expected to vote against the rule, meaning Speaker Johnson can afford to lose only a small number of Republican votes. Several conservative lawmakers have already signalled opposition to the spending package.
The House Rules Committee is scheduled to meet at 4:00pm Eastern Time on Monday to consider the rule before sending it to the full chamber.
The delay follows a call between Jeffries and Johnson on Saturday, during which Jeffries told the speaker that Democrats would not agree to fast track the bill under a process known as suspending the rules. That approach would have allowed passage on Monday night with a two thirds majority.
The Senate passed the funding measure shortly before the Friday deadline, but the House was not in session at the time. With the deadline missed, a partial government shutdown began.
Dispute over Homeland Security funding
Many Democrats oppose providing even temporary funding to the Department of Homeland Security without firm commitments to change immigration enforcement practices. Jeffries has echoed those concerns, increasing the likelihood the shutdown could extend further into next week.
House Democrats are due to hold a caucus call on Sunday evening to coordinate their position.
Speaking to MS NOW on Saturday, Jeffries said Democrats in both chambers were aligned in their demands, which include requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to wear body cameras, remove face coverings, end roving patrols, and tighten rules around search and arrest warrants.
“We need ICE and DHS agencies to conduct themselves like every other law enforcement agency in the country,” Jeffries said. “If we are considering a two week funding extension, we need an ironclad path to real reform.”
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Fallout from Minneapolis shooting
The compromise reached on Friday followed intense public backlash after the fatal shooting of two US citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month. The White House moved quickly to avoid a prolonged shutdown after Democrats demonstrated firm resolve during a 43 day shutdown last year over healthcare tax credits.
President Trump has urged Republicans, who hold a narrow majority in the House, to support the deal.
On Friday, the Justice Department launched a civil rights investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse who was shot by a US Border Patrol agent during an attempted restraint.
Limited impact so far
Only agencies that have not yet been funded for the remainder of the fiscal year are affected. Departments including Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, Interior, Energy, Justice and Commerce remain open.
While tens of millions of Americans are not at immediate risk of losing food assistance, even a short shutdown can disrupt daily life. Airport delays are possible, federal workers may miss paychecks, and some government backed loans for homebuyers and small businesses could be temporarily unavailable.
The White House has instructed several departments, including Transportation, Education and Defence, to carry out orderly shutdown procedures. A memo to agencies said officials hoped the lapse would be brief.
Negotiations are expected to continue over the next several days as lawmakers attempt to reach agreement on long term funding for immigration enforcement and avert a deeper shutdown.
