Senate passes short‑term funding bill to avert a government shutdown before the midterm elections
The Senate approved a temporary funding measure in an overnight vote on Saturday, securing government operations through early December and sidestepping a potential shutdown during the heart of the 2026 campaign season. The 90‑6 vote came nearly two months before the fiscal year ends on September 30, a timing that is atypical for Congress, which usually waits until the final days or hours of a funding deadline to enact stopgap bills.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune pushed for the deal so senators could return home for a five‑week recess to focus on reelection campaigns and other priorities. Although the vote was delayed into the night by unrelated issues, the legislation enjoyed broad bipartisan support. The House of Representatives will need to approve the measure when members return from their August recess before it can be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature.
Key provisions of the funding patch
The bill generally maintains current federal spending levels through December 11, but includes several negotiated exceptions:
- Democrats secured language prohibiting any transfer of funds to the Border Patrol.
- The White House’s request for $1 billion to begin work on a new “Trump‑class” battleship was rejected.
- Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer quipped, “The only person who wants these golden ships is Donald Trump so he can slap his name on them.”
Hemp provision sparks debate
A contentious element of the bill delays a nationwide ban on most intoxicating hemp products for one month. Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Ted Budd (R‑NC), argued that the delay puts children at risk, citing a nearly tenfold increase in cannabis‑related emergency room visits among minors in his state since 2017.
Budd warned, “This is a public health crisis that deserves this Senate’s immediate attention. Our children should never be the testing ground for an industry willing to exploit a loophole in federal law for profit.”
Representatives of the hemp industry countered that the postponement gives Congress time to craft legislation that protects both hemp farmers and businesses while establishing safeguards to keep products away from minors. President Trump spoke with Budd about the issue, though he did not ask the senator to withdraw his effort, according to Budd’s spokesman.
Bill also blocks a new grant‑review rule
Democratic senators, joined by Sen. Susan Collins (R‑ME), inserted language that prevents the implementation of a proposed Office of Management and Budget rule requiring senior political appointees to review federal grants before award. Democrats contend the rule would politicize grant‑making and steer funds toward Republican‑leaning states.
Sen. Patty Murray, ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said, “They are not interested in making our tax dollars work better — they just want them to work for Donald Trump.”
The White House maintains the rule aims to improve accountability and prevent waste or misuse of taxpayer money. Collins noted that the proposed rule generated an unusually high volume of negative feedback during the public comment period.
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