US announces partial government shutdown officially

The US government is set for a partial shutdown due to Congress's failure to approve the 2026 budget. This has affected several key agencies, including the Departments of Defence, Homeland Security, Health, and Education.

According to a memorandum from Russell T Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), dated January 30, 2026, the following was stated:

Appropriations provided for the following bills funded in Division A of the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-37) will expire at 11.59pm tonight:

• Defence, which funds the activities of the Department of War;
   
• Financial Services and General Government;
   
• Department of Homeland Security;
   
• Departments of Labour, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies;
   
• National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs; and
   
• Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.

As it is now clear that Congress will not complete its work before the expiration of appropriations, affected agencies should now execute plans for an orderly shutdown. Employees should report to work for their next regularly scheduled tour of duty to undertake orderly shutdown activities.

The Administration will continue working with Congress to address recently raised concerns to complete appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026. It is our hope that this lapse will be short. Agencies should continue to closely monitor developments, and OMB will provide further guidance as appropriate. We will issue another memorandum indicating that government functions should resume once the President has signed a bill providing for appropriations.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation and the work you and your agencies do on behalf of the American people.