POLITICS

Washington Republicans advance stopgap bill to avert shutdown

▪

Read, Watch or Listen

Washington, D.C. – House Republicans on July 21, 2026, brought H.R. 9770, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027, to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in an effort to prevent a federal government shutdown. The legislation, sponsored by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole of Oklahoma, would extend current federal funding levels through the end of December 2026, covering the period after the current fiscal year ends on September 30, 2026. Party leaders positioned the bill as a short-term step to keep federal agencies operating while Congress works through its regular appropriations process. The push for the continuing resolution comes as Congress faces a compressed schedule ahead of the planned August 2026 recess and has not yet passed any of the twelve full-year appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2027. H.R. 9770 is structured as a “clean” bill that largely maintains existing spending levels across federal departments and agencies, including defense, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It also preserves funding for key safety-net programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and continues support for ongoing federal disaster relief efforts nationwide.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

July 20, 2026 Cole testifies on funding needs
July 21, 2026 H.R. 9770 formally brought forward
July 21, 2026 House debates stopgap funding proposal
Late July 2026 Congress faces compressed legislative calendar
August 2026 Scheduled congressional recess approaches rapidly
September 30, 2026 Current federal fiscal year expires
December 2026 Stopgap bill would extend funding
Fiscal Year 2027 Full appropriations bills remain pending

Why This Matters to You

This stopgap bill impacts your wallet and community. It maintains funding for programs like SNAP, WIC, and TANF, which help families in need. It also keeps federal disaster relief efforts going. Check if your family or neighbors rely on these programs.

The Bottom Line

The clock is ticking for Congress to prevent a government shutdown. This bill is a temporary fix, not a full-year solution. Watch for updates on the full appropriations bills. Worth forwarding if you know someone affected by these programs.