On September 2, Congress will return from their annual August recess. While Congress is still in the midst of their fiscal year 2026 appropriations process, government funding expires on September 30 and time is limited for a full appropriations package to pass. If an appropriations package or separate spending agreement is not reached by the end of September, the government will shut down on October 1.
What to Expect After Recess: When lawmakers return to Washington next week, Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Representative Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the top Republican leadership on the Senate and House appropriations committees, are expected to be in negotiations over what can be accomplished by both chambers. Concurrently, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will also be in negotiations. Despite the continued progress, Democratic members of the Senate have concerns over cuts to government programs. This comes on the heels of a recently passed recissions package, making it a challenge for the appropriations package to receive 60 votes in the Senate necessary to pass a procedural hurdle.
What Could Happen: Congress needs to pass all twelve appropriations packages to fund the government at new levels for fiscal year 2026. The Senate Appropriations Committee has only moved forward with three. The House only two. Due to the large number of appropriations packages needed to pass, Congress will likely consider a continuing resolution (CR) to avoid a shutdown. The CR would fund the government at previously approved spending levels from the last fiscal year.
For more information, please contact John Chambers.