The House voted on Tuesday to pass a short-term funding bill to prevent a government shutdown at the end of September, ensuring government funding at current levels until December 11. The legislation, which has already been approved by the Senate, passed the House with a vote of 370-48 and will be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature. This action addresses a significant legislative priority for Congress ahead of the elections on November 3, postponing negotiations over a full-year funding deal until after the midterms.
Disagreements between the two parties have emerged regarding federal spending, particularly as Democrats oppose Trump's proposal for a $1.5 trillion military budget, which represents an increase from the current $1 trillion allocated for military spending this year. To secure government funding, 60 Senate votes are required to overcome a filibuster, necessitating bipartisan support despite Republican control of both chambers and the White House.
House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., criticized Democrats for hindering a deal that could affect the politically vulnerable Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. "I do want to finish all the bills before the end of the year. Now, whether we can do that or not is another matter," Cole stated, referencing the 12 appropriations bills that fund the government. He noted that the outcome of the elections will influence negotiations in the lame-duck session, as newly elected officials will have increased leverage.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., expressed her hope to regain the chair position of the Appropriations Committee if Democrats retain control of the House. She emphasized the urgency of finalizing a full government funding deal for the new fiscal year before the start of 2027. "The midterm election will have an effect, but the goal is that we need to pass appropriations bills before the end of the year. That is a bipartisan view of where we need to go with the committee, and so that’s what we are going to press for," DeLauro said. "Let’s get to the finish line."