The “Next Volume” of the US Shutdown: Still Hanging in the Air, Deadline Just Hours Away
The risk of a further shutdown in the US remained in the air as of Thursday, January 29, 2026, as funding deadlines for several federal agencies fell on Friday, January 30. If Congress fails to reach an agreement, a partial shutdown could potentially begin Saturday, January 31 (12:01 AM ET).
The primary trigger is the Senate impasse over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Democrats are demanding new restrictions on immigration enforcement (e.g., mask bans, mandatory bodycams, stricter use-of-force rules, and warrant requirements) as a condition for supporting DHS funding.
Meanwhile, some Republican senators are reportedly open to separating DHS funding from other packages to avoid a broader shutdown, but it is uncertain whether this option will be approved by party leaders and the White House. This means that a compromise is still possible—but time is tight and the political battles remain intense.
The technical impact is beginning to become a concern across agencies. A judicial official warned that federal courts' paid operations could be unsustainable beyond February 4th if funding isn't approved, increasing pressure for a solution to be reached before the deadline.
Impact on the dollar & gold: The risk of a shutdown typically sends markets into a "risk-off" mode and increases US fiscal-political uncertainty—this tends to pressure the dollar (especially if investors reduce exposure to US assets) while boosting gold as a safe haven. However, the effect could be tempered if there's a counter-story, such as statements from officials supporting a strong dollar policy (which has temporarily boosted the USD). So, as long as the shutdown issue remains unresolved, the short-term bias is: the USD is vulnerable to volatility, while gold remains supported.
Source: Newsmaker.id
