Why the U.S. Government Shutdown Is Poised to Stretch into Monday: Causes, Effects, and What Comes Next
Updated: January 31, 2026 — Washington, D.C. — A partial shutdown of the United States federal government began in the early hours of Saturday, January 31, 2026, after Congress failed to complete its work on federal appropriations before the fiscal year deadline. With lawmakers now recessed and not scheduled to return until Monday, funding lapses for several departments are virtually certain to continue through the weekend — giving rise to headlines that a shutdown will “continue till Monday.”
This article explains in depth what’s happening, why the shutdown came about, how it affects people and services, and what may unfold next in the political and economic landscape.
What Is a Government Shutdown?
A government shutdown in the United States occurs when Congress fails to pass annual appropriations legislation (or a temporary continuing resolution) by the start of the new fiscal year, which begins October 1 each year. Under the Antideficiency Act, federal agencies must cease operations when funding expires unless there is specific legal authority to continue.
A partial shutdown affects only those departments and programs that have not received funding; others remain operational if appropriated funds remain. This is the situation unfolding for early 2026.
Why the Shutdown Happened
Political Impasse Over Funding Bills
In late January 2026, Congress was working to pass a package of 12 annual spending bills covering federal agencies, including defense, labor, health, transportation, and homeland security.
Lawmakers in the Senate successfully passed a $1.2 trillion funding package that would finance most of the government through September 2026, along with a two-week continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, the House of Representatives was not in session Friday night and could not approve the measure by the midnight funding deadline. As a result, funding for several departments lapsed at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time Saturday, triggering a partial shutdown until the House reconvenes, likely on Monday.
Underlying Policy Disagreements
The immediate point of contention was immigration policy and DHS funding. Senate Democrats linked their support for DHS funding to reforms aimed at federal immigration enforcement agencies after two U.S. citizens were killed by agents during operations in Minnesota. Democratic lawmakers have called for measures such as body cameras, independent oversight, and restrictions on certain enforcement tactics. Republican lawmakers have been hesitant to accept broad changes, creating a stalemate that persisted through the funding deadline.
What Agencies Are Affected?
According to federal budget trackers, the departments whose funding has lapsed include:
| Department | Status During Shutdown |
|---|---|
| Defense (certain functions) | Funding lapses, except essential continuing activities |
| State | Shut down |
| Health & Human Services | Funding expired |
| Transportation | Funding expired |
| Housing & Urban Development | Funding expired |
| Labor | Funding expired |
| Education | Funding expired |
| Homeland Security | Lapsed funding after temporary extension ends |
Non-impacted agencies (still funded through approved appropriations):
- Veterans Affairs
- Agriculture
- Interior
- Commerce
- Justice
- Energy
- Some independent agencies (EPA, NASA, NSF)
The disruption is therefore partial, with only unfunded departments ceasing non-essential functions.
How People and Services Are Affected
A government shutdown has cascading effects. While many impacts vary depending on how long the shutdown lasts, the following areas feel the immediate strain:
1. Federal Employees and Contractors
Federal workers tied to unfunded departments are typically classified as:
-
Furloughed employees — asked not to report to work; they do not receive pay during the shutdown, but are historically compensated retroactively once funding is restored under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019.
-
Excepted employees — essential personnel still work (e.g., air traffic controllers, border security), often without immediate pay until the shutdown ends.
Federal contractors, unlike federal workers, are not guaranteed back pay, and many may face layoffs or unpaid leave.
2. Public Services and Benefits
Some federally funded services slow or halt entirely:
- Permits and applications (e.g., passports, small business loans) may be delayed.
- Scientific and economic data releases (e.g., jobs reports) may be postponed.
- Infrastructure and safety inspections may be reduced.
Programs like Social Security and Medicare, which have separate statutory funding authority, typically continue, although administrative delays may occur.
3. Travel and Transportation
Even in a partial shutdown, air travel can be affected. Air traffic controllers continue serving, but staffing shortages and absences can lead to delays and cancellations, as seen in previous shutdowns. Airlines in the U.S. have urged lawmakers to protect air traffic controller pay during funding lapses to avoid severe disruptions.
4. Broader Economy
Shutdowns influence the economy through deferred federal spending, dampened consumer confidence, and interruptions to markets. A prolonged shutdown can shave approximately 0.1 percentage point per week off annualized GDP growth, according to economists.
Comparisons with Past Shutdowns
The 2025 shutdown, which lasted 43 days — the longest in U.S. history — underscored the high stakes of funding battles. That lapse furloughed about 900,000 federal workers and kept another two million working without pay, costing an estimated $11 billion in economic activity.
By comparison, the current partial shutdown is expected initially to be much shorter — extending only until Congress returns and votes on the Senate’s package — but political dynamics could still extend it.
What Happens Next?
The House of Representatives is scheduled to return on Monday. At that point, leaders are expected to bring the Senate-approved spending bills to the floor for a vote. If passed, the legislation would then go to the President for signature, restoring funding and ending the shutdown.
However, negotiations remain delicate. Lawmakers must balance internal party pressures and policy priorities to secure enough support for passage.
Outlook: Resolution or Extended Deadlock?
Possible Resolution
- A swift House vote on the Senate package could end the shutdown by Monday or soon after.
- Continued bipartisan support for broad spending bills suggests a consensus is achievable.
Risks of Continued Impasse
- If divisions over DHS reforms deepen, lawmakers could withhold support, prolonging the shutdown beyond Monday.
- Renewed public attention to immigration policy could heighten partisan tensions.
Officials and analysts caution that even short shutdowns contribute to uncertainty in markets, government operations, and personal finances.
In Summary
The U.S. is experiencing a partial government shutdown after funding expired due to a political standoff over appropriations, especially related to immigration enforcement and DHS funding. With Congress not scheduled to reconvene until Monday, the shutdown is expected to continue until then. The situation highlights the complex interplay of budget politics in Washington and the real consequences that funding delays have on government operations, workers, and the broader economy.