US Senate Passes Stopgap Funding Bill on Aug 8, 2026 to Avert Shutdown
The US Senate passed a temporary federal funding bill on August 8, 2026, to prevent a government shutdown after current budget authority expires. The legislation would fund federal agencies through December 11. The House passed its own version last month, and the two chambers must reconcile differences before the bill reaches the president. Current funding expires September 30, less than five weeks before the November 3 elections.
The US Senate passed a temporary federal funding bill on August 8, 2026, aiming to avert a government shutdown when current budget authority lapses. The legislation would keep federal agencies operating through December 11. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives had passed its own version of the short-term spending measure last month. The two chambers must reconcile their differences before a final bill can be sent to the president for signature, with existing funding set to expire on September 30 — less than five weeks before the November 3 congressional elections.
The Senate version differs from the House version in several respects. The Senate bill would prevent the administration from reallocating funds from other programs for border security, while also including provisions that allow adjustments to funding for housing and food assistance programs. In addition, the legislation temporarily blocks the White House Office of Management and Budget from implementing a new rule that would give political appointees control over tens of billions of dollars in appropriations.