Legislative Hurdles, Immigration Debates, and Cultural Controversies Mark Early February 2026
Early February 2026 witnessed a partial federal government shutdown averted by a Senate funding package facing House debate, intensified immigration enforcement in Minneapolis despite legal challenges, and a contentious proposal by President Trump to close the Kennedy Center for two years for renovation. Meanwhile, the Grammy Awards celebrated Bad Bunny's historic Album of the Year win, and the Government Accountability Office revealed significant taxpayer costs from the Education Department's attempted staff firings.