Govt. Shutdown ⏰ Part III: What Could Be Impacted During Third Shutdown In 4 Months
The federal government appears headed toward its third shutdown in four months tonight at midnight. This one will be the smallest yet, impacting only part of the Department of Homeland Security, but will still effect tens of millions of Americans.
At the center of the standoff is Democrats’ push for reforms to immigration enforcement within DHS. However, funding for ICE and other immigration enforcement agencies is secure — and actually increased by billions of dollars last year after the passage of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill.
About two weeks ago, lawmakers passed only a short-term DHS funding extension following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal law enforcement in Minnesota. The extension was meant to give Republicans and Democrats time to negotiate broader reforms to ICE — but major disagreements remain.
Democrats are still pushing for 10 guardrails. They include body cameras, bans on agents wearing masks, and the use of judicial warrants before entering private property. Republicans say many of those proposals are nonstarters.
Both the House and Senate are currently out of session, but lawmakers could be called back within 24 to 48 hours if a deal is reached. Don’t hold your breath.
THE EFFECT YOU COULD FEEL
Most TSA agents would continue working — but without pay. Again.
REWIND: The biggest concern for travelers this weekend is a repeat of the 43-day shutdown late last year, when TSA staffing shortages led to longer security lines, amid widespread flight issues.
Unlike in past shutdowns, air traffic controllers will not be directly affected this time because lawmakers have already funded the Department of Transportation.
Most of the federal government remains funded through September.