Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026
Term Dictionary
If you come across any unfamiliar words while reading, these resources can help make everything clearer. Pick whichever one works best for you!
- Congress.gov Legislative Glossary - Comprehensive congressional terms
- NVFC Congressional Terms Glossary - Concise, easy-to-understand definitions
The gist
A short-term spending bill to keep the federal government running through November 21, 2025 at 2025 funding levels. It failed in the Senate, putting agencies at shutdown risk.
Who wins, who loses
- Wins: federal workers, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, community health center patients, veterans, rural hospitals using telehealth.
- Loses: Defense programs blocked from new production starts; Members of Congress (no pay raise); agencies wanting full 2026 budget increases.
What it does
- Funds agencies at fiscal year 2025 rates through November 21, 2025, with limited new-start authority.
- Adds $606.9M for community health centers, $30M for U.S. Marshals, $28M for Supreme Court Justice security.
- Extends Medicare telehealth, rural hospital payments, teen pregnancy prevention education, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) housing programs.
- Reauthorizes Food and Drug Administration over-the-counter drug user fees through 2030 and waives Pay-As-You-Go budget rules.
Why should I care?
Shutdowns close parks, delay paychecks, and shake food aid. Supporters say stopgaps buy time for real budget deals and protect clinics, veterans, and telehealth. Critics argue 7-week patches waste money, hide costs by waiving Pay-As-You-Go, and let pet projects slip in. Where do you land? Vote below and use "Tell Your Rep" to make sure your voice reaches Congress.