Is there a DHS shutdown vote today? Government shutdown updates, news

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown hit 59 days today, Tuesday, April 14, though a vote to end the government shutdown 2026 amid a DHS funding lapse remains stalled as GOP leaders meet in hopes of hashing out next steps for a funding plan quick.

In the latest shutdown news, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson will meet today ahead of President Donald Trump's June 1 deadline to pass a bipartisan DHS funding bill that would restore lapsed monies for immigration enforcement. Congress has been away from Washington for a two-week break and will face a litany of major developments aside from the partial shutdown, including the war with Iran and the fallout from the sexual assault allegations against Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, with lawmakers pushing for accountability from multiple members.

Lawmakers this week will be tasked with how to end a government shutdown that has hit record-length, with Thune needing to convince his own party to agree to the Senate-passed measure, which funds all of DHS, but omits ICE and Border Patrol funding.

Thune and Johnson had initially rejected the Senate plan, but later agreed to it, with the caveat they'd pursue additional funding for ICE and Border Patrol through the budget reconciliation process. A wrinkle in the plans has also been the far-right, conservative bloc of the House, the Freedom Caucus, which has demanded all Republicans decline to pass the funding bill unless it includes all of DHS agencies.

The focus is back on the House today, where Johnson also faces pressure to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act's Section 702, a key national security surveillance law. But that plan is also facing pushback from the Caucus, until the DHS funding issue is complete.

Here's the latest government shutdown news today, when a vote to end the partial shutdown could take place and how the DHS shutdown is impacting workers.

Are we still in a government shutdown today?

The government is still partially shut down today, limited to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS funding lapse marks day 59 today as Congress returns to Washington to hash out a deal to end the shutdown and restore funds to TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, ICE, Border Patrol and other DHS agencies, hit with furloughs and missed paychecks in recent weeks. The shutdown started Feb. 14 when funding lapsed for the DHS in the 2026 budget, with Democrats vowing to withhold "yes" votes for ICE and Border Patrol funding stemming from the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretty by federal agents in Minnesota amid President Trump's immigration agenda.

Is there a vote today to end the government shutdown?

The Senate has already passed a vote on the DHS funding measure, and it's in the hands of the House for a vote. As of Tuesday morning, April 14, the House had not planned to vote on the DHS funding bill, though they are planning to embark on a multistep approach called a budget reconciliation process to sidestep Democratic opposition and fund ICE and BP agencies for the rest of Trump's term.

Will the House vote on the DHS funding bill?

A House vote today to end the government shutdown is not planned, per the House schedule, though it's likely discussion could take place to with GOP leaders meeting to discuss a separate reconciliation strategy to ICE and Border Patrol funding, rather than advancing the Senate-passed DHS bill that would reopen most of the department, though leave out ICE and BP.

Conservative House Republicans continue to oppose the Senate bill since it omits funding for all DHS agencies, making it difficult for leadership to bring it to the floor and pass it today.

Is there DHS shutdown pay uncertainty?

Yes. Most DHS employees are being paid, including TSA workers, under temporary actions from President Donald Trump. But DHS pay relies on finite, stopgap funding, and if those funds run out before Congress acts, pay could once again be halted.

In other words: TSA agents and DHS employees are being paid, for now, but DHS cannot promise future paychecks until a DHS funding bill is passed by Congress.

Were DHS furloughed employees recalled?

Yes. DHS recalled thousands of furloughed employees according to a report from CBS News, citing internal emails. All employees were advised to return to "work and paid" status on April 10. It's an unusual move since, historically during funding lapses, only "excepted" employees typically continue working, and usually without pay. Non-excepted employees are often furloughed and barred from performing their duties.

When will the DHS shutdown be over?

Odds the DHS shutdown lasts more than 80 days is widely predicted across Kalshi and Polymarket prediction markets, a reflection of the stalemate in Congress with no firm end date yet on ending the government shutdown. It's possible the partial government shutdown continues days to weeks longer, with the House not even bringing up the bill for a vote, House Republicans split on how to end it, and temporary pay fixes and recalled furloughed employees reducing the urgent need to pass legislation.

How to watch House vote live

The House is in session this week, likely address various matters with the DHS shutdown at the center of debate. To watch the House live and join a live chat, head to the House's YouTube channel here. You can also livestream House sessions and hearings on C-SPAN on cable TV or online for free. C-SPAN livestreams on several streaming platforms including FuboTV, Philo, Hulu Live, DIRECTV, and YouTubeTV among others.

Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based news reporter covering trending news with USA TODAY Network's Mid-Atlantic Connect Team. She covers news in the Northeast, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Reach her at [email protected].