It is currently **Friday, February 13, 2026**, and the U.S. government is once again on the brink of a partial shutdown. After a late-night session on Thursday, February 12, the Senate failed to advance a full-year funding bill for the **Department of Homeland Security (DHS)**, leaving the agency’s budget set to expire at **midnight tonight**.
Here is the current state of play:
### The Deadlock
The Senate vote to advance the funding bill failed **52–47**, falling short of the 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster.
* **The Conflict:** Senate Democrats are blocking the bill to demand stricter "guardrails" on immigration enforcement. These demands follow the high-profile deaths of two U.S. citizens, **Renee Good** and **Alex Pretti**, during federal law enforcement operations in Minneapolis last month.
* **The Demands:** Democrats are insisting on reforms including mandatory body cameras for agents, a ban on face-masking for officers, and "sensitive location" protections to prevent enforcement at schools and hospitals.
* **The Republican Stance:** Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have pushed for the funding but are currently unwilling to accept the full scope of the Democratic reforms.
### What Happens at Midnight?
If no deal is reached by the end of today, the government will enter its second partial shutdown of 2026 (following a brief 4-day shutdown earlier this month).
| Agency Status | Impact of Shutdown |
| --- | --- |
| **ICE & CBP** | **Operations Continue.** Due to multi-year funding secured in 2025, immigration enforcement and border operations will remain largely active. |
| **TSA & Coast Guard** | **Essential Staff Work Without Pay.** Workers will remain on the job but will not receive paychecks until the shutdown ends. |
| **FEMA** | **Immediate Response Continues.** Disaster relief remains active, but long-term projects and administrative tasks will be halted. |
| **National Parks** | **Varies.** Many parks may remain open with limited services, though visitor centers and trash collection typically cease. |
### The Political Outlook
Negotiations are currently stalled as many Senators have already begun leaving Washington for the scheduled **President's Day recess**. Majority Leader Thune has indicated that while talks continue, he does not see the benefit of keeping lawmakers in the capital unless a breakthrough is imminent. He has pledged to call them back within 24 hours if a deal is reached.
**Would you like me to monitor the floor activity for any last-minute "continuing resolution" (CR) attempts later today?**#USGovernmentShutdown shutdown$USDC
