Sunday, March 1, 2026

Shutdown Update 2-28-26

Based on search results for a partial government shutdown that began on February 14, 2026, and continued through February 28, 2026, the shutdown is limited primarily to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The News Journal +1

Approximately 270,000 to 380,000 employees within DHS and its related components are affected, with about 90% classified as "essential" (excepted) and required to work without pay.  The News Journal +1

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Staff managing non-disaster-related responses.

U.S. Secret Service (USSS): Agents and staff.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): Key Federal Employees Affected:

Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Officers and staff are required to work without pay.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Agents and officers are required to work without pay.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Personnel working on immigration enforcement.

U.S. Coast Guard: Active-duty personnel Personnel.

Other Agencies: Some 10,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) workers and staff in parts of the Department of State may be affected. Homeland Security (.gov) +4

Impact on Pay:

"Excepted" Employees: Roughly 90% of DHS employees are working without pay, but are guaranteed to receive back pay once funding is restored.

Furloughed Employees: Non-essential employees are on unpaid leave, but typically receive back pay after the shutdown ends.

Impact Timing: Many DHS employees began missing paychecks or receiving reduced pay starting in late February, with full paycheck disruptions anticipated in early March. Georgia Department of Labor (.gov) +4

Note: Other areas of the federal government, such as the Department of Defense, were funded for the remainder of FY2026, meaning the impact is not as widespread as a total government shutdown. 

As of February 28, 2026, the ongoing partial government shutdown exclusively affects the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While most other federal agencies were fully funded through the end of the fiscal year by a package passed on February 3, funding for DHS lapsed on February 14. 

Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget +5

Affected DHS Employees

Approximately 90% of DHS's 260,000+ employees are classified as "essential" or "excepted" personnel. They are required to continue working during the shutdown but will not receive pay until funding is restored. Key affected groups include:  Georgia Department of Labor (.gov) +2

Transportation Security Administration (TSA): TSA officers and air traffic controllers are working without pay, which has begun to impact paychecks as of late February.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP): While border agents are essential, certain services like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck have seen temporary suspensions or disruptions due to resource conservation.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Disaster relief operations continue, but non-disaster responses and some programs like the National Flood Insurance Program have been suspended.

U.S. Coast Guard: Active-duty members and essential workers are continuing operations.

Other DHS Agencies: This includes employees of the U.S. Secret Service, CISA, ICE, and USCIS.  UNC Research +9

Agencies NOT Affected

Because they received full-year funding in early February, employees in the following departments are not affected by the current shutdown: 

National Association of Counties +2

Defense (Military & Civilian)

State Department (Passports and visas are still being processed)

Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development

Treasury (including the IRS)

Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Justice 

Congresswoman Dina Titus (.gov) +5

Note on Pay: Under federal law, all furloughed and essential employees are guaranteed back pay once the shutdown ends. However, federal contractors generally do not receive back pay for lost work time. Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget +2

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+federal+employees+are+affected+by+the+shutdown+on+2-28-26+google+ai

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

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