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The Lobbyist Connection
Weekly Briefing • Monday, February 2, 2026
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SHUTDOWN CLOCK
T+ ~48 HRS
Funding lapsed: Sat, Jan 31 • 12:01 a.m. ET
Next expected action: House vote Tuesday (per reporting)
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Top Lines
- Partial shutdown status: Reporting indicates a short shutdown that began over the weekend, with House action expected Tuesday to restore funding. Read (Reuters)
- What’s driving it: DHS/ICE funding disagreements and enforcement oversight demands remain central to the standoff. Read (Axios)
- Data + downstream: The shutdown is already pushing back certain federal economic releases (including key BLS reports, per reporting). Read (Barron’s)
- Minnesota ICE/CBP flashpoint: Minneapolis enforcement operations and recent shootings are shaping both politics and the funding fight. Read (ProPublica)
Legislation to Watch
- Shutdown-ending vehicle / funding package: Track House action on the Senate-passed deal and any rule/consideration mechanics. House outlook (Reuters)
- DHS/ICE two-week runway: The “what next” is the DHS/ICE package—expect immigration enforcement oversight language to dominate the negotiation window. Negotiation contours (Axios)
- Agency-specific impacts & labor posture: NTEU is tracking affected agencies and operational posture as the lapse continues. NTEU tracker
- Executive-branch workforce instructions: OPM issued special instructions for lapse-affected agencies. OPM guidance (PDF)
This Week’s Hearings Calendar (House + Senate)
Week of Feb 2–8, 2026 • compiled from official committee postings
Quick links
Selected highlights (official postings)
Tuesday, Feb 3
Thursday, Feb 5
Tip: For the full list (41 meetings), use the Congress.gov weekly view above—then click “Meeting Details” for witness lists and livestream links.
Shutdown Update — What’s Affected (So Far)
- Agency impact snapshot: NTEU’s running list of lapse-impacted agencies + programs. Open
- Workforce posture: OPM’s special instructions for lapse-affected agencies (furlough/excepted definitions, timekeeping, etc.). OPM PDF
- Economic reporting: Some scheduled releases (including BLS items, per reporting) are delayed until funding is restored. Details
- IRS operations: IRS has indicated it can keep operating near-term using other available funding (per reporting) and has published a lapse contingency plan. Treasury/IRS plan (PDF)
What happens “at midnight” in a lapse?
Agencies execute shutdown plans: non-excepted functions pause; excepted staff continue to work; contractors often see stop-work depending on contract funding.
For the authoritative posture, use the agency’s contingency plan + OPM guidance above.
Current Administration Initiatives & Big Agency Moves
- Border / immigration enforcement posture: The DHS funding fight and Minneapolis flashpoint are driving near-term legislative demands and oversight focus. Axios • ProPublica
- Iran-related action to watch: Track Treasury/State sanctions and enforcement updates as they post (watch official feeds + press rooms). Treasury Press Releases • State Press Releases
- Regulatory pipeline: For “this week” moves—use Federal Register + agency press rooms to spot fast-moving rules, guidance, and enforcement. Federal Register
ICE in Minnesota — Current Status & Why It Matters
Minneapolis remains a political and operational focal point as enforcement activity (“Operation Metro Surge,” per reporting) and recent shootings intensify oversight demands—now directly linked to DHS/ICE funding negotiations.
- Who’s been identified (per reporting): ProPublica reports government records identify two CBP personnel involved in the Alex Pretti shooting. Read
- Investigations / process questions: The Marshall Project details disputes over investigative jurisdiction and transparency norms for federal officer-involved killings. Read
- Congressional pressure: Example—Senators calling for inquiries into DHS tools/tactics amid reported civil-rights concerns. Release
- DHS statements / details: DHS has posted background on certain Minneapolis-related enforcement incidents. DHS post
Watch next:
(1) Any House/Senate language tying DHS funding to operational constraints, reporting requirements, ID/visibility policy, or use-of-force reviews.
(2) DOJ/DHS OIG updates and state/federal jurisdiction posture.
Regulatory Moves
- Federal Register: fastest way to track “what changed this week.” Open
- Sanctions / national security economic tools: monitor Treasury announcements for designations, general licenses, and enforcement actions. Treasury press room
- Shutdown-linked operational changes: agencies are posting service advisories; use official contingency plans (OPM + agency plans). OPM furlough guidance hub
Sponsor Spotlight
Sponsorships are open. Want your firm, coalition, or product in front of government affairs pros each week?
Reply to this email with “SPONSOR” and we’ll send the media kit + available slots (single-issue and monthly options).
Reply: “SPONSOR”
(We’ll respond with rates, placement options, and audience snapshot.)
Legal Industry & Judiciary
- Federal-use-of-force + investigations: Expect litigation and jurisdictional disputes to expand quickly (FOIA, civil rights investigations, state/federal roles). Background
- Shutdown-related employment rules: pay/leave disputes and contractor claims often follow—OPM guidance is the anchor doc. OPM PDF
Supreme Court Watch
Track orders, arguments, and opinions here:
SupremeCourt.gov
Statehouse Watch
- Shutdown spillovers: watch state/local impacts where federal flows are delayed (grants, reimbursements, casework backlogs). USA.gov shutdown hub
- Local government careers (NE example): Massachusetts Municipal Association job ads (updated frequently). MMA job board
Action Items
- Confirm your “lapse plan”: If you support federal clients or agencies, pull the relevant contingency plan + OPM instructions and map critical deadlines. OPM hub
- Track DHS/ICE negotiating text: Monitor leadership statements, committee notices, and the floor schedule for the two-week DHS window. Congress.gov schedule
- Minnesota oversight: Prepare for rapid-fire requests: brief your principals on investigation status, comms posture, and disclosure constraints. Context (ABC News)
Calendar & Deadlines
- House vote timing: Watch House floor timing and rules action (reporting suggests Tuesday). Reuters
- Tax season: IRS filing season is underway (deadlines remain; verify any service advisories if the lapse persists). IRS newsroom
Careers & Openings (Hill + Agencies)
Legislative Branch (selected)
- U.S. Senate — Legislative Assistant (example posting): View
- U.S. Senate jobs portal (all listings): Browse
- U.S. House — Legislative Director (resume collection / posting): View
- CBO job board (budget/policy roles): Open positions
Executive Branch / Agencies (selected)
- Congressional Liaison Specialist (agency role): USAJOBS
- DHS Policy Analyst: USAJOBS
- Public Affairs Specialist (example, current posting): USAJOBS
Pro tip: For agency roles, save keyword searches on USAJOBS (e.g., “congressional”, “legislative affairs”, “public affairs”, “intergovernmental”) and set email alerts.
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