As the capital prepares for President Trump’s State of the Union (SOTU) address tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the legislative backdrop is defined by a deepening stalemate over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding.

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The Shutdown: Day 11

The partial DHS shutdown, which began February 14, remains deadlocked over Democratic demands for stricter “guardrails” on immigration enforcement.

• The Travel Tangle: In a weekend of shifting policies, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem initially suspended both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. Following intense backlash, PreCheck was reinstated and remains operational; however, Global Entry remains suspended indefinitely.
• Essential Personnel: Approximately 95% of TSA’s workforce (roughly 61,000 agents) are working without pay. While air travel continues, officials warn that a prolonged lapse will likely lead to increased wait times and staffing shortages.
• FEMA in “Emergency Status”: FEMA has scaled back to “bare-minimum, life-saving operations,” halting non-disaster-related response efforts to prioritize active emergencies.

State of the Union: Tomorrow at 9:00 PM EST

President Trump will address a Joint Session of Congress tomorrow night. The speech is expected to be a pivotal moment for his second-term agenda.

• Key Themes: Expect a heavy focus on economic growth and a defense of his administration’s immigration policies, which are currently at the heart of the funding battle.
• The Supreme Court Factor: The President is also expected to address the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which struck down certain executive tariff authorities.
• Logistical Note: A major winter storm (Blizzard Hernando) hitting the Northeast has disrupted travel for several lawmakers, though the SOTU remains on schedule.