Senate leaders on Aug. 2 released the text of a bipartisan stopgap funding bill to keep the federal government operating through Dec. 11, avoiding a potential shutdown ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
The Continuing Appropriations Act 2027 extends fiscal year 2026 funding levels and authorities across federal agencies, with the stopgap set to expire on Dec. 11 unless Congress passes full-year spending bills sooner. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Vice Chair Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) co-sponsored the measure, framing it as a pragmatic solution to avert disruption.
Key Provisions and Reactions
The bill includes language to block the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from finalizing its proposed Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, published in the Federal Register on May 29. If enacted, the rule—which would place political appointees in charge of approving grants—would be prohibited from taking effect through Dec. 11. Senate Democrats pushed for the inclusion of this provision, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) calling the bill a “responsible path forward” for bipartisan negotiations.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) had previously indicated that Republicans were considering an alternative stopgap measure rather than adopting the House’s version, which passed on July 21 and would fund the government through Dec. 4. The House bill cleared by a vote of 220–205, with six Democrats in support.
Immigration Enforcement and Policy Exclusions
Unlike the House proposal, the Senate bill also includes language ensuring no new funding goes to immigration enforcement agencies, a demand from Democrats. This contrasts with earlier Republican efforts in the spring to fund those programs through a party-line package after bipartisan immigration enforcement negotiations collapsed.
The Senate’s initial procedural vote is scheduled for Aug. 3, with leaders aiming to pass the bill by the end of the week before senators depart for a five-week recess. The legislation reflects months of negotiations between appropriators, though House Republicans advanced their version without consulting Democrats, according to reporting.
Background and Context
The stopgap measure is unusual in its timing, as Congress typically acts closer to the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year. The Senate’s push for an early vote follows pressure from House Republicans, who passed their own funding extension last month to force earlier Senate action. Both chambers now have competing timelines, with the Senate’s Dec. 11 expiration aligning with the midterm elections.
The OMB’s proposed grant rule, which the bill would temporarily block, was introduced to revise how federal financial assistance is administered. The rule’s potential impact on grant distribution has drawn bipartisan scrutiny, though the Senate’s intervention marks a clear legislative response to its implementation timeline.