The US House of Representatives has voted to extend the current fiscal year's funding levels until December 4, avoiding a government shutdown at least until after the November midterm elections.
The move comes in the form of a continuing resolution (CR), which extends funding for several weeks into fiscal year 2027, which begins on October 1. This is a victory for Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans, who are looking to avoid a messy federal spending fight before the elections.
House Republicans are warning that Democrats would likely cause another government shutdown if the fight is not punted until after the elections. They point to the two longest government shutdowns in American history, which occurred in this Congress, as evidence of the Democrats' willingness to inflict pain on the American people.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar expressed concerns about the CR, citing drafting errors that he believes give Customs and Border Patrol flexibility to move money around.
Despite the House's victory, it is unclear whether the fight will be over before September. The Senate is working on its own course on funding extension, with appropriators crafting their own CR. The Senate's product is expected to include key extensions to certain programs that are expected to run out of funding by September 30.
Sen. John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, expressed hope that the CR will be passed soon, given the upcoming long August recess. Senate Majority Leader John Thune also supports the move, calling for a bipartisan agreement to fund the government and keep it open.
