US Congress Votes to Keep Government Open, Delaying Shutdown Threat
The United States government will stay open for now. Lawmakers in the US House of Representatives passed a bill to fund federal operations until December 11. This temporary measure prevents a government shutdown that was set to begin on October 1.
The House approved the bill by a vote of 370 to 48. It had already passed in the Senate on August 8. The bill now goes to President Donald Trump. He needs to sign it into law.
Normally, Congress must pass 12 separate spending bills. These bills fully fund all federal government programs. They cover areas like homeland security, energy, housing, and defence. But lawmakers have not yet finished these bills for the fiscal year 2027. This budget year runs until September 30, 2027.
The temporary spending plan gives Congress more time. Lawmakers can use this time to negotiate the full-year budget bills. This vote also removes the immediate risk of a government shutdown.
A shutdown before the November 3 midterm elections could cause problems. Political experts believe it would reduce chances for lawmakers to be re-elected. These elections will decide which political party controls Congress. This control will affect future budget talks.
Republican House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole spoke about the bill. He said it gives Congress time to get past the November elections.
There have been disagreements between Democrats and Republicans. These disputes happened since President Trump’s second term began. They have led to three government shutdowns. These shutdowns lasted a total of 161 days.
The first shutdown was in October 2025. It lasted 43 days. This was the longest government shutdown in US history. It happened because of a disagreement over healthcare funding. A partial shutdown followed in January, lasting four days.
Later, a third shutdown targeted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This occurred after two people, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, died. They were shot by immigration agents in Minnesota. Democrats wanted to stop funding DHS. They hoped this would lead to reforms within agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Many people say government shutdowns do not work well. They often fail to bring about policy changes. Analysts also note that the Trump administration has used shutdowns. They say this has justified cuts to federal spending and staff.
Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro said the temporary bill is important. It helps Congress regain its power over government spending. She explained that Congress alone has the authority to control government money. Passing this bill is the first step, she added.
This short-term measure does not fix the country’s bigger money problems. The US national debt reached over $40 trillion last month. Many voters are also worried about how much things cost. Congress has delayed budget decisions for 15 more weeks. This means lawmakers will have less time in December to complete the full-year spending bills.
