Washington, United States – The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, approved a continuing resolution to extend federal government funding through December 4, 2026, in a bid to avert a shutdown shortly before the midterm elections. The measure, which keeps federal spending at existing levels, passed by a vote of 220–205 after six Democrats broke with their party to join the Republican majority. Lawmakers faced a looming deadline because current government funding is set to expire at the end of September, raising the risk that key federal services could be disrupted just weeks before voters head to the polls. The stopgap bill represents a temporary pause in an ongoing and highly contentious budget fight, and it now goes to the Senate, where its future remains unclear. The vote followed days of tension on Capitol Hill, amid concerns that internal Republican disagreements could derail the funding extension. A faction of hardline House Republicans had been using procedural tactics to slow legislation as they pressed for action on President Donald J. Trump’s proposed SAVE America Act, which would impose stricter federal voting rules, including documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo identification requirements at the polls. Despite those efforts, the group did not block the funding bill, allowing it to advance.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.