The US House of Representatives has approved a short-term funding bill to keep the federal government operating beyond October 1, when current funding expires, sending the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature.
The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027, passed by 370 votes to 48 on Tuesday, September 1. It would extend existing spending arrangements until December 11 and avert a government shutdown during the run-up to November’s midterm elections.
The Senate approved the legislation by 90 votes to six on August 8, but the House needed to endorse the amended version before it could be sent to the White House.
Congress has yet to complete any of the 12 full-year spending bills required to fund federal departments and agencies for the financial year beginning October 1, 2026.
Tom Cole, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said the extension would give lawmakers time to move beyond the November 3 elections and resume work on the outstanding measures.
The House committee described the legislation as a clean, short-term continuing resolution without partisan riders. It said the bill had White House backing and would maintain funding for national security, the armed forces and federal agencies at broadly current levels.
The temporary deal postpones the most difficult spending decisions until December, when lawmakers will face renewed pressure to agree a full-year budget. The outcome of the midterm elections is expected to influence the balance of power in those negotiations.
