House passes stopgap funding bill through Dec. 11

The U.S. House passed a short-term funding bill on September 1 by a 370-48 vote, sending the measure to President Donald Trump after the Senate had already approved it. The legislation would keep federal agencies funded through December 11 and temporarily block an Office of Management and Budget rule that had drawn opposition from universities, local governments and research groups. Trump had said last month he would sign the measure into law, according to the American Institute of Physics. The vote pushed the next shutdown deadline past the September 30 end of the fiscal year and into early December. ### Why did Congress move a temporary funding bill instead of full-year spending bills? September 30 is the deadline for current federal funding, and Congress had not completed regular appropriations bills for the next fiscal year. The stopgap bill, known as a continuing resolution, extends current funding levels for a limited period while lawmakers continue budget talks. (rollcall.com) The Senate passed its version of the measure on August 8 by a 90-6 vote, and the House took up that Senate-passed bill when members returned from recess. Roll Call reported that House leaders moved the measure with broad bipartisan support despite objections from some hard-line conservatives. ### What exactly does the bill do through December 11? (ncan.org) December 11 is the new funding deadline written into the bill. Until then, the measure keeps the federal government operating and postpones the risk of a partial shutdown that otherwise would have arrived at the end of September. The bill also delays implementation of an OMB proposal to rewrite federal grant regulations, often referred to as the Uniform Guidance rule. (aip.org) AIP said the provision would block the rule until at least December 11, temporarily preventing OMB from finalizing changes that critics said would give political appointees more control over grant decisions and restrict how research funds are used. (rollcall.com) ### Why was the OMB grant rule part of a shutdown bill? The Office of Management and Budget proposal had become a point of dispute well beyond the research community. Groups representing cities, counties, housing agencies, hospitals and scientific organizations said the rule could reshape how federal grants are awarded, reviewed and administered. (aip.org) The American Institute of Physics said the Senate and House language would at least temporarily stop OMB from giving political appointees “unprecedented control” over grantmaking decisions. The National Association of Counties said the rule governs how every federal grant can be administered, making the delay significant for state and local recipients as well as research institutions. (usmayors.org) ### Was this a close vote or a bipartisan one? The 370-48 House vote was lopsided, not close. Roll Call described the measure as clearing the chamber easily, and multiple groups tracking the bill said the House adopted the Senate-passed version with bipartisan backing. The Senate’s 90-6 vote in August also showed broad support. That margin reduced the risk of a last-minute funding lapse once the House returned and took up the measure. (aip.org) ### What happens now, and when does this come up again? President Donald Trump is the final named participant in the process because his signature is required for the bill to become law. (rollcall.com) The Hill reported on September 3 that Trump signed the stopgap funding bill into law, temporarily avoiding a shutdown until at least December 11. (aip.org) December 11 is now the next funding deadline Congress will have to address. The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials said the broader fiscal 2027 appropriations process remains unfinished, setting up another round of negotiations before that date. (nahro.org) (thehill.com)