Everything you need to know about a government shutdown Everything you need to know about the government shutdown Congress has until midnight on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, to pass a spending bill to avoid a partial government shutdown. Read our statement. Our political leaders are elected to serve the public, and by failing to keep the government fully funded and working they are failing to uphold that central promise to the American people. Why it matters After a record 43-day shutdown in the fall of 2025, Congress once again finds itself at an impasse, this time over funding the Department of Homeland Security following the violent events in Minnesota in recent weeks. Those events resulted from the Trump administration’s fundamental misuse of government authority. Increased transparency and accountability is needed at DHS, but our elected officials should not have to feel as though forcing a shutdown is the only way to demand reform. Everyone loses in a shutdown, especially the American public and the federal employees who serve them. Congress must reassert its constitutional authority to conduct more rigorous oversight of the executive branch and pass legislation to make government shutdowns a thing of the past. “The time is long overdue to end the continual threat of shutdowns and the suspension of congressionally approved services so that our government can better serve the public good and concentrate on solving our substantial and pressing domestic and international challenges.” Partnership President and CEO The resources below will help you better understand the government shutdown, including a government shutdown FAQ primer, case studies, commentary and research on how shutdowns harm the public. Press Room 2/13/2026, Partnership for Public Service statement on likely partial government shutdown 1/30/2026, Partnership for Public Service statement on likely partial government shutdown 12/18/2025, Partnership for Public Service statement on new legislation to ensure pay for federal workers during shutdowns and end future shutdowns 11/12/2025, Partnership for Public Service statement on the imminent vote to end longest ever government shutdown 10/22/2025, Partnership for Public Service statement ahead of Shutdown Fairness Act vote 10/17/2025, New Partnership for Public Service polling finds nearly half of Americans already noticing shutdown impacts 10/10/2025, Statement on reductions in force at federal agencies amid government shutdown 10/7/2025, Statement on compensation for furloughed federal employees during the government shutdown Stay Up to Date Subscribe to our emails to receive our latest news and updates. Key resources for federal leaders and employees Shutdown Letdown report Read four case studies that offer insights into a shutdown’s impact on small businesses, federal agencies and the public. Read the report 100 Reasons to Stop Future Government Shutdowns These 100 news stories provide a window into the harmful consequences of the shutdown of our federal government from Dec. 22, 2018 until Jan. 28, 2019. Explore more FedSupport A centralized and reliable place where you can find answers to your questions, share critical information, and access resources. Check back regularly for new updates and sign up for our weekly newsletter. Visit FedSupport.org Key resources for the public Government shutdowns 101: FAQs (Last updated February 2026) What is a government shutdown and how does it affect federal employees and the public? Our FAQ answers all your shutdown-related questions. Read the FAQs Fed Figures: How the Federal Workforce is Impacted During a Government Shutdown (Last updated Oct. 8, 2025) Our Fed Figures analysis highlights the direct impact that a federal government shutdown can have on millions of civilian federal employees and active-duty military personnel. Read more The Cost of the Shutdown In an effort to document the real-life impact of the shutdown, the Partnership for Public Service has launched The Cost of the Shutdown, which curates news stories on a daily basis describing the harm caused by the disruption or halting of vital services provided by the government. Explore stories The Cost to Your Community The Cost to Your Community tracker features a dynamic map that captures where and how the federal government’s footprint and impact are changing across states and congressional districts. Read stories of impact and explore pre-2025 data to contextualize current events and track shifts in staffing, funding and infrastructure over time. Explore more Join the I Support Feds campaign Show your support of our federal workers. Federal workers play a vital role in our everyday lives. They work behind the scenes, helping people receive critical government services, such as applying for benefits, renewing passports, tax support, nutrition and immunization assistance and many other services. Federal workers keep our nation running and moving forward. Show your support In the media 1/30/2026, The New York Times, Democrats Reach Spending Deal With Trump, Seeking to Rein In ICE 1/30/2026, The Washington Post, Senate aims to vote on funding deal before shutdown deadline 10/7/2025, CNN, Trump questions back pay for federal workers furloughed as part of government shutdown 10/3/2025, C-SPAN, Max Stier on Government Shutdown Impact on Federal Workers 10/2/2025, The Atlantic, A Government Shutdown, Weaponized 10/2/2025, NBC News, Trump administration uses government websites and email messages to pin the shutdown on Democrats 9/23/2025, The Contrarian, A shutdown might make Trump more powerful, by Max Stier Related blogs Thumbnail for The government shutdown is now the longest ever—and the public is paying the price The government shutdown is now the longest ever—and the public is paying the price Read more Thumbnail for Understanding the status of federal employees as the government shutdown continues Understanding the status of federal employees as the government shutdown continues Read more Thumbnail for Reductions in force during the government shutdown Reductions in force during the government shutdown Read more Thumbnail for The impact of the government shutdown on travel, business and benefits The impact of the government shutdown on travel, business and benefits Read more Thumbnail for What federal employees should know about retroactive pay after a government shutdown What federal employees should know about retroactive pay after a government shutdown Read more Thumbnail for Half of Americans say the federal government shutdown is impacting their community Half of Americans say the federal government shutdown is impacting their community Read more Thumbnail for Who gets paid during a government shutdown? Who gets paid during a government shutdown? Read more Thumbnail for Navigating the government shutdown: Essential information you need to know Navigating the government shutdown: Essential information you need to know Read more Thumbnail for How federal employees build resilience amid uncertainty and career transitions How federal employees build resilience amid uncertainty and career transitions Read more Thumbnail for 4 tips to stay resilient during a government shutdown 4 tips to stay resilient during a government shutdown Read more
