The House of Representatives has passed the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026. The measure was approved by a vote of 222 to 209 after a government shutdown that lasted 43 days. The funding extension, which House Republicans supported and passed in September, will now be sent to President Trump for his signature.
Alongside the continuing resolution, Congress also approved three full-year appropriations bills. These cover funding for the Legislative Branch; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; and Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration. With this action, Congress has provided funding for part of the federal government through January 30, 2026. The Appropriations Committee plans to continue working on the remaining nine full-year bills.
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) stated: "History reminds us that shutdowns never change the outcome — only the cost paid by the American people. This Democrat-led crisis proved just that. Minority Leaders Jeffries and Schumer have inflicted real pain across the nation for weeks. And for what? The funding extension we passed today reflects our position from the start. Democrats manufactured chaos, delayed paychecks, and disrupted vital services — only to end up exactly where Republicans, President Trump, and the American people said we should be all along. Forty-three days later, they gained nothing but the damage they caused: missed paychecks, lapsed nutrition assistance, stalled programs, and shaken public trust. Today, that ends. We’re reopening government, restoring stability, and continuing the hard work of delivering full-year appropriations through a transparent, line-by-line process. I hope Democrats remember this lesson: true courage is taking responsible action for the nation even when politics makes it inconvenient."
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX) commented: "For 43 days, Americans unnecessarily suffered because Democrats wanted to use them as leverage in a twisted political game. The legislation we passed today ends that suffering and responsibly reopens the government. It provides a runway to negotiate the other bills that need to be completed while providing year-long certainty for America’s veterans to access mental health services, medical care, and homelessness programs. I applaud Chairman Cole for his endless work to get us to this point and commitment to return to regular order. I hope as we face the January deadline, Democrats think long and hard about the impacts of their actions and instead choose to responsibly work with Republicans to tackle the remaining funding bills quickly."
Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) said: "Millions of Americans have suffered unnecessarily because the Democrats refused to reopen the government – including those who depend on SNAP benefits, federal workers, border patrol agents, and our troops who were uncertain about their next paycheck. This legislation provides critical funding to support America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities and it ensures both USDA and FDA can safeguard our nation’s food and drug supply. Republicans have effectively locked in disciplined, flat spending levels while supporting the Trump Administration’s policy priorities and I thank Appropriations Committee Chairman Cole for his leadership throughout this process."
Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao (R-CA) added: "For over 40 days, Congressional Democrats have held our country hostage,and today I was proud to vote to reopen the governmentand returnto regular order.As Chairman ofthe Legislative Branch Subcommittee,I’m pleasedthatthis bill strengthens Capitol securityby increasingfundingfor sworn officersand staff,mains tainsthe historic U.S.Capitol complex,and reopensour nation’s institutions tost udents,families,and visitorsfromacrossthenation.I wanttothankChairmanColeforhisleadershipthroughoutthisprocessandlookforwardtoworkingwithmycolleaguesintheHouseandSenatetodelivertherestofthefull-yearfundingbillsfortheAmericanpeople."
The newly-passed short-term continuing resolution extends government funding until January 30 without any controversial policy additions or significant changes in spending levels compared with previous measures.
The appropriations process undertaken by Congress marks progress toward what lawmakers describe as “regular order,” moving away from large omnibus spending packages negotiated behind closed doors toward more transparent legislative procedures involving input from rank-and-file members.
According to statements from committee leaders involved in crafting these measures,the new legislation aims at providing stable support for agencies such as USDA,the FDA,and programs serving veterans.It also seeks tomaintainflatspendinglevelswhileaddressingprioritiesofthecurrentadministration.
