Key facts
- The House passed a stopgap spending bill to fund federal operations through November 21.
- The bill passed the House with a 220-205 vote.
- The measure aims to prevent a government shutdown ahead of the November midterm elections.
- Democrats are demanding an extension of enhanced subsidies for Obamacare insurance.
- The Senate is expected to take procedural votes on competing funding offers.
The House of Representatives passed a stopgap spending bill to fund federal operations through November 21, narrowly averting a government shutdown before the midterm elections. The measure passed with a 220-205 vote, largely along party lines, and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Democrats are pushing for the inclusion of an extension for enhanced Obamacare insurance subsidies, a provision that Republican leaders want to address separately. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that President Donald Trump desires a shutdown and that Democratic votes are necessary to prevent one. The Senate is expected to hold procedural votes on competing funding proposals, with both anticipated to fall short of the 60-vote threshold.
The House-passed bill also includes provisions to allow increased spending on the WIC nutrition program, satisfying a White House request, and would release the District of Columbia's full budget, which has been partially blocked since March. Additionally, it allocates funds for lawmaker and executive branch security amid concerns over political violence.
One additional source indicates that President Trump signed a government funding package, ending a shutdown after 43 days, extending funding through January 30, 2026, and including three full-year funding bills. This source also mentions guaranteed backpay for furloughed employees and a requirement for rehiring laid-off federal workers.