Federal Managers Association
Press Release
- FMA URGES CONGRESS TO END PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN - February 17, 2026
Alexandria, VA – Funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expired on Saturday, February 14, 2026, resulting in a partial government shutdown. Most DHS employees are considered “essential” and will remain at work throughout the shutdown. The Federal Managers Association (FMA) urges Congress to pass appropriations to fully fund DHS for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026. FMA National President Craig Carter released the following statement on the lapse in funding:
“Federal employees at the Department of Homeland Security are once again working without pay and must endure uncertainty on their budgets for the fiscal year. This is an unacceptable way to treat these dedicated feds who do so much to provide for our fellow Americans. While the vast majority of DHS feds will continue working, shutdowns have lasting negative consequences for morale and engagement. DHS includes critical components of our nation’s security, including border patrol, the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard, FEMA, and more.
“These feds deserve certainty with the resources they need for their work, as well as proper compensation for their service. We urge Congress and the administration to pass and sign full-year appropriations – already more than four and a half months late – as soon as possible, or a continuing resolution (CR) to fund DHS while they work out their differences.
“Government shutdowns waste billions of dollars and create undue stress on Americans across the country. It is in the best interests of all Americans to keep the federal government open and for Congress to find a compromise to funding our government. The American people expect legislators to work across the aisle to find solutions, and the Federal Managers Association wholeheartedly agrees. Our nation’s security and our citizens’ welfare should never be compromised. We urge Congress to end the lapse in spending for DHS.”