US House of Representatives approves legislation to avert government shutdown before congressional elections

The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to approve a bill aimed at keeping federal agencies operating after October 1, the deadline for the expiration of current funding as the new fiscal year begins.

The House approved the extension of current spending through December 11 by a vote of 370 to 48 and sent it to President Donald Trump for signature into law. The Senate had previously approved the measure on August 8.

This temporary measure is necessary because Congress has not yet finished work on any of the 12 appropriations bills that would fund government programs for the full fiscal year running from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. These programs range from homeland security and federal law enforcement to energy, housing, and defense.

Since the beginning of Trump’s second term, Congress has been dominated by sharp disagreements between the Republican majority in the House and the Democratic minority in both the House and the Senate.

The result of these disputes has been three partial government shutdowns, totaling 161 days—an unprecedented figure. The two parties have clashed over health insurance subsidies and restrictions on the law enforcement powers of federal immigration officers.

Neither Republicans nor Democrats wanted a fourth government shutdown to loom over them as they seek re-election in the midterm congressional elections, which could anger voters already frustrated by rising prices for food and housing, the U.S. war on Iran, and tariffs on foreign goods that have specifically impacted farmers.

During debates on the temporary funding bill, Tom Cole, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, emphasized the political sensitivities.

Cole said, referring to the efforts to pass the bill, “This will give Congress enough time beyond the November elections.”