Partnership for Public Service Statement on likely partial government shutdown 

February 13, 2026

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today issued the following statement from president and CEO Max Stier ahead of a likely partial government shutdown that will impact the Department of Homeland Security, pending the expiration of a continuing resolution on Feb. 14:

“Make no mistake – the stakes around this partial shutdown exist because our elected leaders have continuously neglected their constitutional duties. The Trump administration has long misused government power and authority, and Congress has procrastinated on its responsibility to curb this malpractice.

“After the violence in Minnesota, it’s clear that Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement need reforms to their management and oversight systems. Our recent employee engagement data at these agencies found an alarming lack of integrity and transparency from leadership, and no organization can undergo successful change with that level of dysfunction.

“Government shutdowns are wasteful and dangerous – not a lever to prompt necessary change. This particular shutdown would also impact thousands of DHS employees who support our national security, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Secret Service, to work without pay through no fault of their own.

“Congress must reach an agreement to fully open the government and pursue reform at DHS. We also urge them to pass legislation like the bills recently introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and others to ensure federal employees get paid and take these shutdowns fully off the table.”

The full results of the Public Service Viewpoint Survey, including a government-wide employee engagement score, will be released in mid-March.

For more information about how the government shutdown will impact federal employees and the public, visit the Partnership’s government shutdown resource hub.

During the past 25 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We work across administrations to help transform the way government works by providing agencies with the data insights they need to succeed, developing effective leaders, inspiring the next generation to public service, facilitating smooth presidential transitions and recognizing exceptional federal employees.

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