The U.S. House of Representatives has passed key FY26 appropriations bills focusing on security, energy, and environmental stewardship, emphasizing bipartisan support, responsible legislating, and advancing the America First agenda, with ongoing work to complete full-year funding for the government.
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have agreed on a FY2026 budget for NASA, approving a slight reduction of $400 million from the previous year, which is a significant improvement over earlier proposed cuts, and supporting NASA's broad range of programs including Artemis, SLS, and lunar missions, with additional funding from the reconciliation bill. The agreement reflects bipartisan support but still needs to pass through Congress and be signed into law.
The House Appropriations Committee released a bipartisan, bicameral three-bill package for FY2026 funding, focusing on energy, law enforcement, infrastructure, and resource management, emphasizing transparency, fiscal responsibility, and national security, with no poison pills and maintained legacy riders.
Congress faces a tight deadline to pass funding bills by January 30 to avoid another government shutdown, with ongoing negotiations and conflicting demands among Republicans and Democrats, and limited time when Congress reconvenes.
Colorado Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper placed a hold on a government funding package to oppose the Trump administration's decision to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, citing concerns over retaliation and the impact on science and climate research.
Senators from both parties are engaging in rare bipartisan talks to end the 30-day government shutdown, with discussions focusing on appropriations and funding bills, while the Senate also votes to disapprove President Trump's tariffs, highlighting ongoing political negotiations and disagreements.
Amid ongoing government shutdown tensions, President Trump is reportedly using alternative funding to pay military personnel without congressional approval, prompting concerns from GOP senators about bypassing legal processes. Legislation to fund the military is expected to face Democratic opposition, while Republicans rally support to keep the shutdown in place. Additionally, North Carolina is set to approve a new congressional map, impacting the state's political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The Senate has rejected a funding patch for the tenth time amid a government shutdown stalemate, with Democrats hesitant to support individual appropriations bills without broader agreements, while Republicans seek to attach defense and other funding measures, complicating efforts to resolve the shutdown and fund federal agencies and courts.
Senate Democrats and Republicans are at a crossroads over funding bills amid a government shutdown, with Democrats cautious about supporting individual appropriations measures without broader agreements, while Republicans seek to attach defense and other funding bills. The debate includes discussions on extending health insurance subsidies and the potential for a new shutdown demand, alongside ongoing judicial appointments.
Senate Democrats are set to reject a stopgap government funding bill for the 10th time, insisting on health care benefits extensions, particularly subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, amid a prolonged government shutdown and ongoing partisan disagreements.
During a lapse in congressional appropriations, President Trump authorized the Secretary of War to use available funds from Fiscal Year 2026 to pay military personnel to ensure readiness and pay continuity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining military operations despite legislative delays.
Senate GOP leaders are pushing to advance full-year spending bills, including defense and other agencies, amid a government shutdown, with efforts to involve Democrats and avoid a shutdown by moving appropriations through conference negotiations.
Senate Republicans are attempting to push forward funding bills for various federal agencies amid a government shutdown, including efforts to attach additional funding to defense bills and move negotiations to conference committees, while Democrats remain cautious and seek broader negotiations to resolve the shutdown.
During the government shutdown, most Federal Student Aid operations, including processing and customer service, continue with minimal impact, though some websites and communication channels are temporarily on hold. Borrowers should continue making payments, and schools can submit certain reports, but some services and responses may be delayed until the government reopens.
The White House is urging Congress to pass a four-month stopgap spending bill until January 31, 2026, to prevent a government shutdown, amid ongoing disagreements over the appropriations process and funding priorities for fiscal 2026.