Internal NFFE News
January 28, 2026
Today, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Shumer urging Congress to move forward with the agreed upon Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations to avoid a government shutdown.
The letter argues that funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should be considered separately from the other appropriations measures in the wake of the tragic killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by DHS agents.
“Not separating the Homeland Security bill from the remaining appropriations measures risks triggering a partial government shutdown,” the letter reads. “Such an outcome would leave more than one million federal employees without pay, including hundreds of thousands who would still be required to report to work. Our members want to serve the public and keep government functioning, not endure another avoidable shutdown. Americans across the country who rely on services provided by the [federal government] likewise do not want these essential operations disrupted. Federal employees know from experience that shutdowns are costly, inefficient, economically harmful, and damaging to the delivery of public services.”
“It is imperative that we do not enter another lapse in funding just months after the longest and most destructive government shutdown in U.S. history,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “The Senate has a clear path to address DHS funding while keeping the government open and sparing federal workers from another unwarranted and damaging shutdown. Congress must do their jobs and ensure federal workers are allowed to deliver essential services to the American people.”