House Clears Procedural Hurdle on Final FY26 Spending Bills
Congress is moving closer to averting another government shutdown after House Republicans on Thursday advanced the final four fiscal year 2026 spending bills past a key procedural hurdle. The action sets up two votes to package the measures together and send them to the Senate.
On a narrow 214–213 test vote, Republicans largely held their conference together to advance legislation funding the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
With the current funding deadline set for Jan. 30, lawmakers now have a week and a half to complete work on the legislation.
What they're saying: House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) emphasized the urgency of finishing the process, saying, "At a time when many believed completing the FY26 process was out of reach, we've shown that challenges are opportunities. It’s time to get it across the finish line."
While much of the spending package has drawn bipartisan support, the DHS funding measure has emerged as a key point of contention. House Democrats pushed for a separate vote on the bill, citing concerns related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This measure includes funding for agencies such as FEMA, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Coast Guard, in addition to ICE. Under the negotiated bill, funding for ICE enforcement operations would be reduced by $115 million, while the department’s overall budget would remain flat.
Despite this change, most House Democrats have indicated they are likely to oppose the DHS funding measure.
This article was provided to OSAP by ASAE's Power of Associations and Inroads.