Amata Welcomes Final Passage of Bill to End Shutdown, Renew Funding

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is welcoming final House passage of the bill to end the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown after 43 days, and renew much-needed funding, including paychecks for military, air traffic controllers and all federal employees.

This amended bill, passed by a vote of 222-209, funds government through January 30, 2026, and adds three of the 12 full-year 2026 appropriations efforts. These legislative additions fund the following departments and programs through September 30, 2026:

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), SNAP programs in the states and American Samoa's nutrition grant, WIC and child nutrition;
• All aspects of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) and its services, including modernizing records technology to reduce wait times;
• Military construction, including military families' housing, childcare facilities, base upgrades, hospitals projects; and
• The legislative branch, which includes several key government services through nonpartisan entities - the Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress, and the Capitol Police.

"It's wonderful to put this shutdown behind us. I am enthusiastic about these weeks ahead in Washington, D.C., and the crowded legislative work schedule for the rest of 2025," said Congresswoman Amata. "The federal government must rapidly restore any lagging benefits, especially Veterans' services, nutrition, and people's paychecks. In addition to the nine upcoming appropriations bills, we need to work urgently on getting a House-Senate agreement to the NDAA Defense authorization, which directs the Pentagon and includes the pay increase for our military, as well as the Coast Guard authorization bill. I am optimistic about the prospects for passing these important authorization bills into law."

The funding bill was passed by the Senate earlier this week, and following House passage, has been sent to President Trump to be signed into law. Once signed into law, federal processing of delayed paychecks will begin. The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026is a Senate amendment to the original House bill to extend government funding, H.R. 5371. It's full amended title is the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026.

The nine remaining full year appropriations bills have been completed by the House Appropriations Committee, and most of the work is completed on the Senate versions of these bills.

###