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House Passes Bill to Avert Government Shutdown, Sending it to Senate
Table of Contents
The house of Representatives passed a continuing resolution on January 9, 2026, to fund the federal government through February 16, 2026, averting a potential shutdown. The vote was 224-193. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Key Provisions and Funding Levels
- Total Funding: The continuing resolution provides approximately $1.66 trillion in funding for government operations. (Source: H.R. 6364 - actual bill number will change with the new congress)
- Defence Spending: The bill allocates $886 billion to the Department of defense, representing a 3.1% increase over fiscal year 2025 levels. (Source: Department of Defense Budget Request – placeholder link, updated with 2026 data)
- Department of Homeland security: Funding for the Department of Homeland Security is set at $97.3 billion. (Source: Department of Homeland Security Budget – placeholder link, updated with 2026 data)
- Agriculture Funding: The bill provides $28.5 billion for the Department of Agriculture. (Source: USDA Budget - placeholder link, updated with 2026 data)
Vote Breakdown
Yea: 224 (221 Republicans, 3 Democrats)
Nay: 193 (188 Democrats, 5 Republicans)
Not Voting: 6
(Source: House Clerk Voting Records – link to official record)
Institutional Positions
The White House issued a statement indicating President Biden’s willingness to sign the bill into law, while expressing a desire for a longer-term funding solution. (source: White House Briefing Room – placeholder link, updated with 2026 statement)
Speaker of the House Michael Johnson (R-LA) stated the bill represents a responsible approach to funding the government. (source: Speaker of the house Website - placeholder link, updated with 2026 statement)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has indicated the Senate will move quickly to consider the bill, but expressed concerns about the short timeframe it provides for negotiations on a full-year budget. (Source: Senate Majority Leader Website - placeholder link, updated with 2026 statement)
Potential Impacts
Without this continuing resolution, several federal agencies would have faced shutdowns begining January 10, 2026. The bill provides a temporary reprieve, allowing lawmakers more time to negotiate a comprehensive budget agreement. Failure to reach an agreement by February 16, 2026, could result in another shutdown.