Should Congress pass the stopgap bill funding the government through December 11?
None of the twelve annual spending bills for fiscal 2027 has passed, and government funding runs out October 1. The Senate passed a stopgap 90-6 in August (riding H.R. 6500) that extends current funding through December 11 and adds provisions the House's narrower version lacked: delaying a new rule requiring political appointees to approve federal grants, delaying most of the new hemp-THC restrictions, and extending flood insurance and highway programs. The House passed its own version 220-205 largely along party lines and must now decide whether to accept the Senate bill when it returns in September. Where do you stand?
Weigh in
The case for
Supporters say the stopgap averts an election-season shutdown, drew 90 bipartisan Senate votes, and gives federal workers, contractors, and state grant recipients certainty while full-year bills are negotiated. Rejecting it a month before the deadline would risk repeating last winter's record 76-day partial shutdown.
Source: House Appropriations Committee →The case against
The Appropriations Committee's ranking member calls the stopgap approach one-sided and not a serious attempt to govern: it freezes stale funding levels that ignore agencies' updated needs and punts real decisions past the midterm elections. Critics in both parties add that governing by autopilot stopgaps erodes Congress's power of the purse.
Source: House Appropriations Committee Democrats →My Democracy doesn’t take a side — you choose your position below, and your message carries it. Sources represent one organization on each side; they don’t reflect My Democracy’s position.
This campaign is about this bill
H.R. 6500: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027What it does
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027This bill provides continuing FY2027 appropriations for federal agencies and extends various expiring programs and authorities.Specifically, the bill provides continuing FY2027 appropriations to federal agencies through the earlier of December 11, 2026, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2027 appropriations bills have not been enacted when FY2027 begins on October 1, 2026.The CR funds most programs and acti
Latest action: Became Public Law No: 119-103. (Sep 2, 2026)
10 more to reach 10
Take Action
What’s your position?
Both sides are laid out above. Your message will carry your position — My Democracy doesn’t take a side.