Government Shutdown 2026: Funding Bills, Deadlines and Votes
A running record of the appropriations bills, stopgap measures and floor votes that decide whether federal agencies stay open.
Last updated: (4 days ago)· checked hourly against official records
Where it stands now
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027
This law provides temporary funding for federal agencies through December 11, 2026, to prevent a government shutdown at the start of the new fiscal year. It maintains most programs at their previous spending levels while authorizing additional funding for the Disaster Relief Fund, the Indian Health Service, and nutrition assistance for women, infants, and children. The legislation also extends trade preferences for Haiti, maintains a pay freeze for Members of Congress, and continues various agricultural and transportation programs. Introduced by Representative Jason Smith of Missouri, the bill was signed into law in September 2026.
Next step: Referred to House committee.
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027
This law provides temporary funding for federal agencies through December 11, 2026, to prevent a government shutdown at the start of the new fiscal year. It maintains most programs at their previous spending levels while authorizing additional funding for the Disaster Relief Fund, the Indian Health Service, and nutrition assistance for women, infants, and children. The legislation also extends trade preferences for Haiti, maintains a pay freeze for Members of Congress, and continues various agricultural and transportation programs. Introduced by Representative Jason Smith of Missouri, the bill was signed into law in September 2026.
Next step: Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period for which certain regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale are effective
The Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026 extends a federal deadline from 2028 to 2035 for the National Marine Fisheries Service to issue new regulations regarding lobster and crab fishing gear. These future regulations mandate that American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries use specific technologies to prevent the endangered Atlantic large whale from becoming entangled in equipment. The bill affects commercial fishers in the Northeast and was introduced by Representative Michael Lawler (R-NY); it has passed the House of Representatives.
Next step: Awaits consideration in the Senate.
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period for which certain regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale are effective
The Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026 extends a federal deadline from 2028 to 2035 for the National Marine Fisheries Service to issue new regulations regarding lobster and crab fishing gear. These future regulations mandate that American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries use specific technologies to prevent the endangered Atlantic large whale from becoming entangled in equipment. The bill affects commercial fishers in the Northeast and was introduced by Representative Michael Lawler (R-NY); it has passed the House of Representatives.
Next step: Awaits consideration in the Senate.
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027
This law provides temporary funding for federal agencies through December 11, 2026, to prevent a government shutdown at the start of the new fiscal year. It maintains most programs at their previous spending levels while authorizing additional funding for the Disaster Relief Fund, the Indian Health Service, and nutrition assistance for women, infants, and children. The legislation also extends trade preferences for Haiti, maintains a pay freeze for Members of Congress, and continues various agricultural and transportation programs. Introduced by Representative Jason Smith of Missouri, the bill was signed into law in September 2026.
Next step: Awaits Senate consideration.
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027
This law provides temporary funding for federal agencies through December 11, 2026, to prevent a government shutdown at the start of the new fiscal year. It maintains most programs at their previous spending levels while authorizing additional funding for the Disaster Relief Fund, the Indian Health Service, and nutrition assistance for women, infants, and children. The legislation also extends trade preferences for Haiti, maintains a pay freeze for Members of Congress, and continues various agricultural and transportation programs. Introduced by Representative Jason Smith of Missouri, the bill was signed into law in September 2026.
Next step: Awaits House floor consideration.
Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes
This bill provides continuing appropriations for federal agencies and programs for the beginning of fiscal year 2027 to prevent a government shutdown. It maintains funding at current levels for a specified duration until permanent appropriations bills are enacted. The measure affects all federal departments and agencies nationwide. It passed the House and moved to the Senate for immediate consideration before the end of the current fiscal year.
Next step: Awaits action in the Senate.
How federal funding works
Congress funds most federal agencies through twelve annual appropriations bills. When those bills are not enacted before the fiscal year begins on October 1, Congress passes a continuing resolution, a stopgap that extends the previous year's funding levels for a set number of days or weeks.
If neither an appropriations bill nor a continuing resolution is in place when funding lapses, agencies begin shutdown procedures under the Antideficiency Act. Employees whose work is deemed necessary to protect life and property keep working without pay until funding resumes; the rest are furloughed.
What a shutdown does and does not stop
Continues: Social Security and Medicare benefit payments, mail delivery, air traffic control, federal law enforcement, and military operations, though many of the people doing that work are not paid until funding is restored.
Stops or slows: national park operations, most federal research grants, routine food and workplace inspections, passport and visa processing at reduced staffing, new small-business loans, and federal contractor work, which is generally not covered by the back-pay guarantee that applies to federal employees.
How it ends
A shutdown ends when both chambers pass identical funding text and the President signs it. That can be a full-year appropriations package, an omnibus combining several bills, or another continuing resolution that resets the deadline.
Federal employees receive back pay once funding resumes, under a 2019 law that made retroactive pay automatic. Contractors are not covered by that guarantee unless Congress acts separately.
Related: Government Shutdown Tracker
People also ask
When does government funding run out?
The deadline is set by whichever appropriations bill or continuing resolution is currently in force. The tracker items on this page list the expiration date attached to each measure as Congress passes it.
Do Social Security checks stop during a shutdown?
No. Social Security and Medicare benefits are mandatory spending and continue to be paid. Field-office services such as replacement cards and some appeals can slow because staffing is reduced.
Do federal workers get paid after a shutdown?
Yes. A 2019 law guarantees retroactive pay for federal employees once funding is restored. Federal contractors are not automatically covered.