The White House Office of Management and Budget has instructed affected agencies to begin implementing the shutdown plan.

News Brief

On January 31, CCTV News revealed that the White House Budget Director had instructed agency heads to brace for a government shutdown beginning at midnight, as their funding was depleting rapidly. Impacted agencies include Defense, Homeland Security, State, Treasury, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. Russ Vought clarified that due to Congress's inability to complete its work on schedule, these agencies must immediately activate their shutdown protocols; however, employees should continue reporting for duty and managing routine responsibilities throughout this transition period. Furthermore, he emphasized that the administration would maintain collaboration with Congress to address recent challenges and finalize fiscal year 2026 funding, expressing hope that any shutdown would be brief. Previously, on March 30, the Senate approved a spending measure for most federal departments before forwarding it to the House. Nevertheless, with House members absent from Washington until Monday, February 2, a partial shutdown became inevitable starting early March 31. House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated during a confidential Republican conference call that the chamber would likely vote Monday evening utilizing an expedited procedure.

PANews reported on January 31 that, according to CCTV News, the Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget issued a memo to department heads that day, instructing agencies whose funding was due at midnight to begin preparing for a government shutdown. These agencies include the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, State Department, Treasury Department, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, Department of Transportation, and Department of Housing and Urban Development. Russ Vought stated, “Given that Congress is clearly unable to complete its work before the funding expires, affected agencies should now implement orderly shutdown plans. Employees should report to work on time, fulfill their next regular work duties, and conduct orderly shutdown activities. The government will continue to work with Congress to address recently raised issues and complete the funding for fiscal year 2026. We hope this shutdown will not be too long.”

On March 30th local time, the U.S. Senate passed a spending bill to fund most departments of the federal government and sent it to the House of Representatives for consideration. Since House members are not in Washington and will not return until Monday (February 2nd), a Senate vote will inevitably result in a partial government shutdown beginning in the early hours of March 31st. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated in a private call with House Republicans that the most likely way for the House to pass the bill is through a fast-track vote on Monday evening.