- The Senate has approved a stopgap funding measure ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline
- The bill, which was cleared by a vote of 90 to 6, now moves to the House
- The House’s version of the measure runs only through Dec. 4
The Senate on Saturday voted 90-6 to pass a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through Dec. 11, sending the measure to the House as lawmakers work to avert a shutdown when the fiscal year ends Sept. 30.
What Does the Continuing Resolution Include?
The stopgap measure would maintain funding for highway, rail and transit programs while making targeted funding adjustments for priorities, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC; national security shipbuilding efforts; and the Disaster Relief Fund, Sen. Kevin Cramer’s office said Saturday.
Breaking Defense reported the bill would hold Pentagon funding at fiscal year 2026 levels and bar the start of new programs. The outlet also reported that neither the House-passed bill nor the Senate version includes most of the Department of War-specific funding exemptions the White House had requested, including $1 billion for the Trump-class battleship program and authority to obligate funds on five multiyear munitions contracts.
What Happens When the Bill Reaches the House?
The House passed its own continuing resolution before leaving for its August recess, but that version would extend funding only through Dec. 4, Breaking Defense reported. The House is set to return from recess on Aug. 31, leaving a narrow window to reconcile the two versions before the Sept. 30 funding deadline, CBS News reported.
According to CBS News, the bill would keep government funding at current levels for six weeks beyond the start of FY 2027, with some exceptions. If the House takes up the Senate-passed bill, it could draw additional support, though it remains unclear whether House leadership will pursue that version or a separate approach.
What Other Provisions Are Included in the Bill?
CBS News reported the Senate bill includes language that would temporarily block political appointees from implementing a proposed rule tied to federal grants, as well as a provision closing a loophole preventing the administration from transferring funds to Border Patrol.
