Continuing Resolution to Reopen Government, FY 2026 Appropriations Bills Head to President’s Desk

Senator Collins led negotiations on the measure to end the government shutdown

Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation coauthored by U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to reopen government by a vote of 222 to 209. The legislation, which includes a continuing resolution and three full-year Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills, passed the U.S. Senate on Monday and now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.

The continuing resolution would reopen government immediately, extend funding through January 30^th, and provide back pay to all federal workers. It does not include any poison pills.

The measure includes the final FY 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; and Legislative Branch appropriations bills. This three-bill package, which originally passed the Senate on August 1^st with overwhelming bipartisan support, would make full-year appropriations available for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Since the beginning of the shutdown, Senator Collins has been urging for the three appropriations bills to be attached to the continuing resolution to reopen government.

"This short-term continuing resolution will reopen government immediately, provide back pay to all federal workers, and fund important federal programs on which many Americans rely. The three full-year appropriations bills will support veterans, troops, farmers, and rural communities in Maine and across the country," said Senator Collins. "As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard on this legislation that will finally put an end to this unnecessary and harmful government shutdown, as well as provide full-year funding to important programs like SNAP and WIC."

Links:

Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Act, 2026

Legislative Branch Act, 2026

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