This is a temporary funding bill that keeps the federal government running through October 31, 2025, while Congress works on a full budget for fiscal year 2026. Think of it as a financial bridge that allows government agencies to continue operating at roughly the same level they were funded in 2025, preventing a shutdown.

The bill prevents agencies from starting new projects or significantly expanding existing ones—they can only continue what they were already doing. The Department of Defense faces particularly strict limits: it cannot produce new weapons or equipment that wasn't being made in 2025, increase production rates, or start new programs. However, there are some specific exceptions for things like submarine construction and an Air Force aircraft program that Congress wants to continue.

The bill includes a few targeted funding increases for specific priorities: $8.2 billion for the WIC nutrition program for women and children, $30 million for U.S. Marshals protective operations and courthouse security, and $28 million for Supreme Court Justice security. It also establishes a new Inspector General office for the Office of Management and Budget with $20 million in funding. Additionally, the bill makes various technical adjustments to existing programs and extends certain authorities, like allowing the government to continue managing water projects in California and maintaining NASA space missions that were active as of September 2025.

Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026

Murray, Patty

Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026This bill provides continuing FY2026 appropriations for federal agencies, permanently extends the expanded premium tax credit for purchasing health insurance, provides additional funding for Medicaid and security for federal officials, and extends various expiring programs.Specifically, the bill provides continuing FY2026 appropriations to federal agencies through the earlier of October 31, 2025, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2026 appropriations bills have not been enacted when FY2026 begins on October 1, 2025.The&nbsp;CR funds most programs and activities at the FY2025 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility and additional appropriations for various programs. For example, the CR provides additional funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and security for federal officials.In addition, the CR<ul><li>permanently extends provisions that expanded the premium tax credit, which generally reduces premiums for health insurance purchased through a health insurance exchange;</li><li>repeals health care provisions that were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including&nbsp;provisions that reduced Medicaid funding;&nbsp;</li><li>authorizes the District of Columbia to spend local funds at the rates included in its FY2026 local budget;</li><li>extends the availability of certain funds that are being withheld by the Office of Management and&nbsp;Budget (OMB); and</li><li>limits the authority of&nbsp;OMB to withhold appropriations.</li></ul>Finally, the bill extends several expiring programs and authorities, including programs related to health care, veterans, homeland security, and agriculture. &nbsp;