01.14.26 - Where things stand on government funding

Congress is nearly halfway done funding the government for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026—more than a quarter into FY 2026, but still, it’s something! However, a lot needs to happen to get all 12 appropriations bills into law before government funding runs out on January 30. 

Below is a cheat sheet on where things stand and possible pitfalls to look out for next. 

What’s become law already? 

The following FY 2026 funding measures became law in November, keeping covered government agencies funded through September 30, 2026. 

• Agriculture

• Legislative Branch 

• Military Construction-Veterans Affairs

What’s close to becoming law? 

The House passed the following funding bills last week, and the Senate is working towards a vote later this week. Again, these bills would fund related agencies through September. 

• Commerce-Justice-Science

• Energy and Water

• Interior-Environment 

What’s still in the works? 

This week, the House plans to vote on the following bipartisan, bicamerally-negotiated bills to fund covered government agencies through September, provided a last-minute amendment push from far-right Republicans does not complicate matters. The Senate must approve the package before funding expires on January 30. If the House and Senate cannot pass identical bills, they must approve a short-term funding extension (a continuing resolution, or CR) or the covered government agencies will shut down. 

• Financial Services-General Government 

• National Security-State Department

What’s left? 

The Appropriations Committees have not released text for the remaining four spending bills, but hope to do so this weekend to tee up a House vote next week. Again, if the House and Senate cannot pass identical funding measures, they must pass a CR or related government agencies will shut down. 

• Defense

• Homeland Security (DHS)

• Labor-Health and Human Services (HHS)-Education

• Transportation-HUD

What challenges lie ahead? 

• ICE funding. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis last week amid a massive ICE deployment to Minnesota. Twin City and state officials have sued to end the surge, citing ICE’s violent tactics, warrantless arrests, and violations of constitutional protections. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), the top Democrat on the DHS Appropriations subcommittee, is seeking ICE reforms as part of a DHS spending bill, as are the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. 

• Earmarks. In recent weeks, far-right Republicans have voiced their opposition to community project funding—better known as “earmarks”—that provide government funding directly to projects Members have identified in their districts. Those complaints could resurface as Congress considers upcoming bills—especially if the same Republicans feel compromise funding levels are too high, as some complained last summer. 

• House GOP math. The sudden death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) last week, coupled with other Republicans’ expected absences this week, have narrowed House Republicans’ slim majority even further to 216-213, assuming all Democrats are present and voting. Unexpected House GOP defections, like last night’s, could also make vote outcomes in the House unpredictable.  

• Recesses. The Senate is slated to be in recess next week, with the House out the following week. Senate leadership said their plans won’t change given senators’ trips on the books, including to Denmark amidst the president’s threats to Greenland. If the House acts on outstanding spending bills next week and then leaves town, senators will be left to swallow whatever measures the House passed or amend them and call on House members to return to Washington—or risk a partial government shutdown. 

We’ll keep you posted as events unfold.

If you’d like a live update for your group or coalition, reach out to catherine@webuildprogress.org. Thanks!