A funding lapse for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hit 44 days, making it the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, according to NBC News. While most federal agencies remain funded, the ongoing DHS lapse has continued to disrupt operations and leave employees working without pay or facing furlough uncertainty.
- Record length: The DHS funding lapse reached 44 days, the longest shutdown in U.S. history, according to NBC News.
- Scope: The shutdown is partial, with other parts of the federal government funded while DHS remains affected, NBC News reported.
- Workforce impact: The lapse continues to affect DHS operations and employees, including pay and work status disruptions, according to NBC News.
- Policy driver: The shutdown is tied to appropriations and funding negotiations for DHS, NBC News reported.
- Immediate stakes: Employees and leaders across DHS components face continuing uncertainty as the lapse extends beyond a month, NBC News reported.
Brief context
NBC News reported that the DHS-specific lapse pushed the shutdown past prior records, underscoring how a single department’s appropriations can drive real-world impacts even when the broader government is funded. DHS is a large department with missions spanning border security, transportation security, emergency management, cybersecurity, and other homeland security functions. When appropriations lapse, agencies must determine which functions continue under “excepted” status and which activities pause—decisions that can affect day-to-day operations and employee pay.
For federal employees and service members who interact with DHS—such as through travel screening, immigration services, disaster response coordination, and cybersecurity support—the effects can show up as staffing strains and delayed services, depending on which functions remain operational.
What it means for you
For DHS civilian employees, the practical impact typically centers on pay timing and work status:
- If you are required to work during a lapse, you may be designated excepted and continue reporting for duty while pay is delayed until funding is restored.
- If you are not excepted, you may be placed in a furlough status and directed not to work until appropriations resume.
- Employees should follow their component’s guidance on timekeeping, reporting requirements, and any updates to excepted activity designations.
For pay and shutdown-related planning, employees may want to review general shutdown guidance and timelines from their agency and HR office. (Related reference: FedInfo’s federal pay and benefits guides: https://fedinfo.org/)
Source: NBC News (Politics), “DHS funding lapse becomes the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history” — https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/dhs-funding-lapse-longest-partial-government-shutdown-us-history-rcna265645