The Daily Punch The shutdown cometh
Jan 26, 2026
Congress races toward a potential government shutdown after deadly Minnesota shootings make DHS and ICE funding politically explosive. Lawmakers wrestle with whether to split DHS funding and demand broad ICE reforms. The IRS starts tax season without a confirmed leader amid high turnover. Democrats and Republicans brace for intense redistricting fights in Virginia and Maryland.
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Minnesota Shootings Trigger Funding Crisis
- The Minneapolis shootings have turned DHS funding into a major political crisis for the White House and Senate.
- Senate Democrats are unlikely to support any package that includes ICE funding, imperiling a multi-bill funding deal due Friday.
Split DHS To Protect Other Funding
- Senate Republicans should consider splitting DHS from other funding bills to secure the rest of government funding.
- Failing to separate DHS risks forcing the House back to vote or triggering a short shutdown.
Visibility Strengthens Democratic Leverage
- Democrats hold strong leverage because the issue is a visible government killing caught on camera.
- That visibility unifies the Democratic caucus more than past fights like health care, increasing shutdown odds.