January 30, 2026
The Senate reached an agreement Thursday to avoid a government shutdown ahead of the January 30 funding deadline.
Under the agreement, funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was removed from a six-bill FY 2026 minibus. The Senate will instead consider a short-term continuing resolution to fund DHS at current levels through February 13. The remaining five bills in the minibus would provide full-year FY 2026 funding through September 30. These bills fund Defense, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Financial Services, and State and Foreign Operations, together funding about 96 percent of the federal government. Senate leaders have said the chamber is expected to vote on the funding package on January 30.
Despite the agreement, a brief government shutdown remains possible. Senate action was delayed due to objections related to House-passed provisions, and if the Senate does not act before the deadline, some parts of the government could temporarily shut down. Even if the Senate passes the updated minibus, the House is not expected to return until Monday, which adds uncertainty. If enacted, most federal agencies would remain funded through September 30, but DHS would face another funding deadline in two weeks.
If the Senate passes the updated minibus, it will be sent to the House for consideration. Because the Senate amended the bill, it must also be approved by the House before it can become law. So far, Congress has approved six of the twelve required FY 2026 funding bills, and lawmakers will continue work on DHS funding and the remaining bills in the weeks ahead.
Nominee Developments
- Robert Cekada, nominee for Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), was formally renominated on January 13, 2026, and the nomination was again referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The confirmation process will now restart, beginning with committee consideration.
IACP remains committed to ensuring the voice of the policing profession is heard at the highest levels of government. IACP’s advocacy is grounded in the needs of those serving on the front lines. We will continue to keep you informed as advocacy efforts progress and new opportunities arise. If you have any questions about IACP’s advocacy efforts or would like to connect further, please contact IACP’s Legislative Affairs team at legaffairs@theiacp.org.
Past legislative Updates
- Senate Reaches Agreement to Move Forward on Government Funding
- Government Funding Bills Advance as January 30 Deadline Nears
- Counter-UAS Victory & Marijuana Rescheduling Executive Order: What It Means for Policing
- NDAA Advances as Spending Talks Tighten
- Federal Funding Outlook Following the End of the Government Shutdown
- U.S. Government Shutdown Continues
