WASHINGTON D.C. — Clock towers across the capital are ticking toward midnight tonight, January 30, 2026, as lawmakers scramble to prevent a partial government shutdown. While a deal appears to be in sight, the finish line remains blurry due to intense political debates over immigration.

The Main Problem: A "Minibus" Split

The primary hurdle is how to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

  • The Conflict: Democrats have refused to approve a full year of funding for the DHS. This comes after recent fatal incidents involving ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents in Minnesota, which have sparked nationwide protests.

  • The Demand: Democrats want to separate DHS from the rest of the spending bills so they can force changes—like requiring body cameras for agents and ending "roving patrols"—before giving the agency more money.

The "Two-Week" Compromise

Late Thursday, Senate leaders and President Trump reached a tentative agreement to keep the lights on:

  1. Fund 96% of the Government: Pass five major spending bills to fund most departments (like Defense, Health, and Education) through September.

  2. A Short "Stopgap" for DHS: Provide the Department of Homeland Security with only two weeks of emergency funding. This "cooling-off period" would give lawmakers 14 days to negotiate reforms for ICE.

Why a "Mini-Shutdown" Could Still Happen

Even with this deal, there is a catch: The House of Representatives. The House is currently on recess and not scheduled to return until Monday. Since the Senate changed the original bill, the House must vote on it again. This means that even if the Senate passes the deal today, several federal agencies could technically run out of money over the weekend before the House can finalize the paperwork on Monday.

What Happens if a Shutdown Starts?

If no deal is signed by midnight, a "partial" shutdown begins:

  • Essential Staff: Border agents, TSA officers, and active-duty military will keep working but won't get paid until the shutdown ends.

  • Furloughs: "Non-essential" federal workers (like those in administrative offices or national parks) will be sent home.

  • Public Services: You might see delays at airports or in processing federal loans and passports.

"A shutdown doesn't help anybody," House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters, though he noted he was originally "vehemently opposed" to splitting the funding bills.

checklist of which government services will stay open and which will close if the midnight deadline is missed?

Absolutely. Because this is a partial shutdown, many services will remain unaffected because their funding was already secured in previous bills.

Here is your quick-reference checklist for what stays open and what might be disrupted if the midnight deadline is missed.

Government Service Checklist

✅ These Stay OPEN (Already Funded)

  • National Parks & Museums: Unlike previous shutdowns, the Interior & Environment bill is already signed. Parks remain open.

  • Social Security & Medicare: Checks will still be mailed out (mandatory spending).

  • Veterans Affairs (VA): VA hospitals and benefits are fully funded for the year.

  • Mail Delivery: The U.S. Postal Service is self-funded and will operate normally.

  • Food Safety: Inspections for meat, poultry, and eggs continue as the Agriculture-FDA bill is already enacted.

⚠️ These Stay OPEN but with "Essential" Staff Only

  • Air Travel: TSA agents and Air Traffic Controllers are "essential." They will work, but without pay until the shutdown ends. Expect longer lines.

  • Border Security: CBP and ICE agents remain on duty as essential personnel.

  • Military: Active-duty troops remain on duty but may see a delay in paychecks if the shutdown lasts past the next pay cycle.

  • FBI & Federal Courts: Law enforcement and "essential" judicial functions continue for public safety.

❌ These Will Likely CLOSE or Be Delayed

  • Passport Services: Processing of new passports may be suspended or heavily delayed.

  • Small Business Loans: The SBA (Small Business Administration) will stop processing new loan applications.

  • IRS Support: While you can still file taxes, customer service lines and refund processing may slow down significantly.

  • IRS Verification: Mortgage and loan approvals that require tax transcripts will be stuck.

  • Grant Processing: The NIH and Department of Education will stop processing new research grants or student aid applications.

Important Note for Federal Workers

If you or someone you know is a federal employee in a "non-essential" role (furloughed), you are legally guaranteed back pay once the government reopens, thanks to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act.