As time starts to run out on the current fiscal year, today, the House passed the Senate-approved bill that would extend current funding levels for all federal programs (with a few anomalies) until December 11. This will avoid a government shutdown in October ahead of the midterm elections. The continuing resolution (CR) passed the House on a 370-48 vote, with 19 Republicans and 29 Democrats voting in opposition, after House Republican leaders fast-tracked the bill. The Senate had passed the bill earlier in August before leaving for their summer recess. 

The House Appropriations Committee has advanced all 12 Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 appropriations bills and three have been approved by the entire House, although not the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. However, the appropriations process has stalled in the Senate, where none of the bills have been considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The CR allows Congress more time to pass these appropriations bills and keep the government properly funded and functioning. Without it, a government shutdown was extremely likely after September 30, when FY 2026 ends.  

The CR also includes a measure that delays the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) proposed changes to federal grant rules until at least December 11. Those rules are currently being reviewed in response to the significant number of comments received during the public comment period, but were originally targeted to go into effect on October 1.  

ACTE will continue to update you on the FY 2027 appropriations process here on the blog.