The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday narrowly passed a stopgap spending bill to fund the federal government through December 4, aiming to avert a shutdown before the November midterm elections. The measure, known as a continuing resolution, now heads to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future amid partisan divisions over spending and policy riders. The vote was 220-205, largely along party lines, with six Democrats joining all but one Republican in support, according to The Hill and CBS News.

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The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a stopgap measure to fund the federal government through December 4, 2026, in a bid to avert a government shutdown before the November midterm elections. The continuing resolution passed by a vote of 220-205, with six Democrats crossing party lines to support the bill and all but one Republican voting in favor, according to The Hill. The lone Republican dissenter was not specified in reports, though Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-Calif.) voted with the majority.

The bill now moves to the Senate, where it will need bipartisan support to clear the chamber. The government's current spending authority expires on September 30, leaving lawmakers limited time to avoid a shutdown before they head into the final stretch of campaign season, as noted by CBS News. The House is set to leave Washington for its five-week August recess later this week, while the Senate is scheduled to remain in session through the first week of August.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, described the continuing resolution as a clean extension of current funding levels, without any policy riders or controversial provisions, according to CBS News. The measure aims to remove the threat of a shutdown during the election season, a strategy that top Republicans have emphasized as critical to maintaining focus on their campaign agenda.

Why It Matters

The passage of the stopgap bill reflects the ongoing partisan gridlock over government funding, which has led to two shutdowns in the current Congress. According to The Guardian, Democrats blocked government funding measures last year for a record 43 days in protest against the expiration of tax credits that lowered some healthcare costs, and twice again this year to push for reforms to immigration enforcement operations after the killings of two US citizens in Minneapolis. Republicans are eager to avoid a third shutdown, which they argue would be politically damaging ahead of the midterms.

The continuing resolution also highlights the broader battle over fiscal policy, with Republicans controlling both chambers but lacking the 60 votes needed to overcome a Senate filibuster on regular appropriations bills. The House is expected to pass a budget resolution later this week that could kickstart the reconciliation process, allowing Senate Republicans to pass funding bills with a simple majority, as reported by CBS News. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that he could use that budget resolution as a vehicle to fund the government through November, though he expressed hope that such a step would not be necessary.

Political Context

The stopgap measure is a strategic move by House Republicans to defuse a volatile issue in the run-up to the November midterm elections, according to The Guardian. By extending funding past the election, Republicans aim to avoid a shutdown that could disrupt federal services and alienate voters. However, the bill's fate in the Senate remains uncertain, as Democrats may seek to attach policy riders or demand concessions.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican who spearheaded the resolution, argued that the House is acting proactively to prevent a funding lapse crisis, rather than responding to one, as quoted by The Guardian. He noted that the Senate has generated two shutdowns in this Congress and that he is not willing to risk a third.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on Tuesday that he intends to bring a short-term spending bill to the floor for a vote before the August break, according to CBS News. He also indicated that he could use the House's budget resolution as a vehicle to fund the government through November, though he expressed hope that such a step would not be necessary.

What Officials and Groups Are Saying

House Speaker Mike Johnson described the continuing resolution as a clean extension of current funding levels, without any poison pills or maneuvers, according to CBS News. He emphasized that the measure is a simple extension to ensure the government remains open.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole argued that the House is acting before a funding lapse crisis, not in response to one, and that the conference refuses to let Senate Democrats trigger another manufactured shutdown, as reported by The Guardian. He noted that the Senate has caused two shutdowns already in this Congress.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he will put a short-term spending bill on the floor before the August break and indicated that he could use the House's budget resolution as a vehicle to fund the government through November, according to CBS News. He expressed hope that such a step would not be necessary.

Timeline

  • September 30, 2025: Previous government funding expires, leading to a shutdown that lasted 43 days after Democrats blocked funding over healthcare tax credits.
  • 2026 (twice): Democrats block funding again to push for immigration enforcement reforms after killings in Minneapolis.
  • July 21, 2026: House passes continuing resolution to fund government through December 4, 2026, by a vote of 220-205.
  • Late July 2026: House expected to leave for August recess; Senate remains in session.
  • Before August recess: Senate Majority Leader Thune intends to bring a short-term spending bill to the floor.
  • September 30, 2026: Current government funding expires; shutdown possible if no new funding is enacted.
  • November 2026: Midterm elections.
  • December 4, 2026: Stopgap funding expires; new funding bill needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a continuing resolution?

A continuing resolution is a temporary spending bill that funds the federal government at existing levels for a set period, allowing lawmakers more time to negotiate full-year appropriations.

Why did the House pass this bill now?

The House passed the bill to avert a government shutdown before the September 30 funding deadline and to remove the issue as a political liability ahead of the November midterm elections, according to The Guardian.

What happens next in the Senate?

The Senate must pass the continuing resolution or an alternative before September 30 to avoid a shutdown. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said he will bring a short-term spending bill to the floor before the August recess, according to CBS News.

Could the bill still fail?

Yes. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where Democrats may oppose it or seek to attach policy riders. If the Senate fails to pass a funding measure by September 30, a government shutdown could occur.

How does this affect the midterm elections?

By extending funding past the election, Republicans hope to avoid a shutdown that could disrupt federal services and alienate voters, allowing them to focus on other campaign issues, according to The Guardian.

What Happens Next

The stopgap spending bill now moves to the Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune has pledged to bring a short-term funding measure to the floor before the August recess. The Senate could pass the House bill as-is, amend it, or use the House's budget resolution as a vehicle for a different funding plan. If no agreement is reached by September 30, the government will shut down, disrupting federal services and injecting uncertainty into the final weeks of the midterm campaign. The outcome will test whether bipartisan cooperation can prevail in an election year or whether partisan divisions will lead to another costly shutdown.