The short version
- The Senate approved a continuing resolution by a 90-6 vote to keep federal agencies funded at current levels until December 11.
- The measure includes provisions blocking new White House rules that would allow the cancellation of grants and the redirection of funds to border security.
- Legislation must still pass the House, which previously approved a different version extending funding to December 4, creating uncertainty about the final text.
The United States Senate has passed a continuing resolution designed to prevent a federal government shutdown through the upcoming midterm elections. The measure, which cleared the chamber with a decisive 90-6 vote on Friday, maintains current funding levels for federal agencies until December 11. This timeline extends well beyond the November 3 election date, providing a period of fiscal stability during a critical political window. Democrats are hoping to regain control of Congress in these midterms, which would position them to challenge President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda for the remainder of his term.
The passage of this bill reflects a mutual desire among lawmakers to avoid a contentious battle over federal spending in the weeks leading up to the vote. Without new funding legislation, the government faces a shutdown after September 30. Susan Collins, the Republican chair of the Senate appropriations committee, described the resolution as a significant step toward preventing a damaging lapse that would harm vital programs and federal workers. She emphasized that the measure does not introduce major changes to existing funding structures, prioritizing continuity over policy shifts.
Despite the broad support in the Senate, the path forward remains uncertain because the bill must still be approved by the House of Representatives. The lower chamber previously passed a different continuing resolution last month that would extend funding until December 4. It is unclear which version will ultimately become law, as the House is currently on recess until the end of the month. Senators are also expected to leave Washington for their break following the vote, potentially delaying further negotiations or reconciliation efforts between the two chambers.
Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate appropriations committee, criticized the House’s earlier bill for containing several major issues that the Senate version addresses. One key difference involves a new rule proposed by the White House Office of Management and Budget. Democrats fear this rule would allow the Trump administration to cancel grants at any time for any reason. The Senate resolution blocks this authority until December 11, preserving existing grant structures during the interim period.
Another point of contention centers on funding allocation for border security. Murray noted that the Senate bill closes a loophole present in the House version. That loophole would have permitted the White House to take money designated for other purposes and redirect it to the Border Patrol. By closing this gap, the Senate measure aims to prevent executive overreach in spending priorities, particularly regarding immigration enforcement operations.
Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader, framed the vote as a necessary pause to address broader economic concerns. He stated that the continuing resolution provides breathing room to work out a budget that makes life more affordable for working families. Schumer also criticized the administration’s actions, referring to what he described as rampant chaos and corruption. His comments underscore the political stakes involved in the funding debate, linking fiscal policy to broader criticisms of the Trump administration.
The current funding standoff follows a history of recent disruptions. Last year, Democrats instigated a government shutdown by refusing to approve funding bills without an agreement to extend subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans. That lapse lasted 43 days, marking the longest funding break in US history. Ultimately, no agreement was reached to keep the cost offsets going after the shutdown ended, leaving the issue unresolved.
Earlier this year, some government agencies experienced brief shutdowns after Democrats held up a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security. This action was taken in protest of the killings of two US citizens by federal agents during an intensive immigration enforcement drive in Minneapolis. While an agreement was eventually reached to resolve that blockade, the parties did not agree on DHS funding for weeks. Democrats had held out for reforms to immigration enforcement operations before supporting any new appropriations.
A bipartisan agreement was eventually reached to fund department operations exclusive of the agencies involved in Trump’s mass deportation push. Republicans subsequently passed a party-line bill that allocated funding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection for the duration of Trump’s presidency. This legislation included no reforms to immigration enforcement, highlighting the deep divisions between the parties on how to balance security concerns with civil liberties and operational oversight.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US Politics↗Senate passes funding bill to prevent shutdown through US midterms
