In a late-night session on Tuesday, lawmakers in Washington acted swiftly to prevent a looming federal government shutdown. Both chambers of Congress passed a short-term spending measure that will keep federal operations funded beyond the November 15 deadline. The bill now awaits the President’s signature, which the White House has confirmed will take place promptly.
The Senate voted 76–24 to approve the measure, demonstrating strong bipartisan cooperation. Shortly afterward, the House of Representatives followed suit, clearing the legislation for the President. The temporary funding measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), maintains current spending levels while establishing two new deadlines to finalize the full federal budget.
Under the agreement, funding for a portion of federal agencies will continue through January 30, 2026, while the rest will operate under the extension until February 2026. This staggered timeline-referred to as a “laddered” resolution-aims to give lawmakers additional time to negotiate long-term appropriations without risking another shutdown.
The deal came after several tense days of debate and last-minute adjustments. A major breakthrough occurred when legislators agreed to drop contentious border security provisions that had stalled progress in earlier negotiations. The compromise paved the way for swift approval in both chambers.
Political analysts say the bipartisan outcome marks a temporary truce in ongoing budget disputes. “This bill buys Congress time but doesn’t solve the underlying challenges,” one budget expert noted. Still, the measure ensures federal employees, social services, and critical programs remain unaffected as year-end discussions continue.
The passage of the continuing resolution offers short-term stability for the government and reassurance for millions of Americans who depend on public services. Lawmakers are now expected to return to full-year budget talks in the coming weeks, aiming to reach a comprehensive funding agreement before the new deadlines arrive.
