US government funding dispute disrupts Munich Security Conference plans

“As of midnight on Feb. 14, parts of the U.S. federal government have partially shut down due to Congress’s failure to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security,” Stefanishyna said.

She noted that DHS oversees more than 20 agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

According to Stefanishyna, one of the key consequences of the funding lapse is the cancellation of the congressional delegation’s trip to Munich due to procedural restrictions. Members of the House of Representatives are unable to travel on official business until the budget issue is resolved, she said.

At the same time, ICE and CBP continue operating normally, she added, as their funding was included in President Donald Trump’s legislation known as “The One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” passed in the summer of 2025.

Stefanishyna said Congress is scheduled to return on Feb. 23 but could reconvene earlier. Lawmakers have been told to be ready to vote within eight hours after the Senate reaches a decision. The president’s annual State of the Union address is scheduled for Feb. 24.

Separately, the Financial Times reported, citing diplomatic sources, that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled at the last minute a meeting in Munich with leaders from Germany, Poland and Finland, as well as officials from the European Commission, to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine. Sources within the U.S. delegation told the newspaper the meeting was scrapped due to a scheduling conflict.

The 62nd Munich Security Conference is being held Feb. 13–15. Ukraine’s delegation is led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.