House lawmakers passed a stopgap funding bill to keep federal agencies open at current spending levels through Dec. 4, sending the measure to the Senate with days left before the Sept. 30 fiscal-year deadline.
- What passed: A continuing resolution (CR) to extend funding and avert a government shutdown past Sept. 30
- How long it lasts: Funding would run through Dec. 4
- Funding level: Agencies would generally operate at current levels under the stopgap measure
- What’s next: The bill moves to the Senate, where lawmakers must act before the deadline to prevent a lapse in appropriations
- Why it matters: Without enacted funding by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sept. 30, many federal operations would begin shutdown procedures, with employees facing furloughs or excepted work status depending on mission requirements
The House action comes as Congress remains behind schedule on regular appropriations for fiscal year 2025. Under the CR approach, agencies typically continue operating under prior-year funding rules and restrictions, limiting new starts and some program changes until full-year appropriations are enacted.
If the Senate passes the House measure and it becomes law before the deadline, agencies would avoid immediate shutdown planning and continue normal operations into early December—setting up another funding deadline during the fall. If the Senate does not clear the bill in time, agencies would prepare for an appropriations lapse, which can affect pay timing, leave approvals, travel, contracting, and customer-facing services, depending on each agency’s shutdown plan.
Federal employees and service members should monitor agency guidance, including any updates on timekeeping, telework expectations, and travel/PCS-related processing. While active-duty military generally continues to work during shutdowns, civilian personnel supporting defense and other missions may be designated “excepted” or furloughed based on legal authorities and operational needs.
Source: The Hill