Senate advances government funding bill; House tees up vote

House members are returning to Washington, D.C. to vote as early as this evening following the Senate passage Monday night of legislation that would fund the government through Jan. 30. It would also fund the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture, Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction, and Congressional operations through Sept. 30 (the end of FY26). The Senate cleared the measure Monday evening with a 60-40 vote. 

“We are encouraged by discussions that indicate a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government has been reached, and we urge Congress to swiftly pass the funding bill to restore stability across our country,” said Scott Simpson, president/CEO of America’s Credit Unions. “In what is now the longest shutdown in history, spanning seven weeks, millions of households have had to worry about how they will make ends meet. Throughout this shutdown, credit unions embodied their ‘people helping people’ mission to ensure those facing financial hardships had a trusted partner by their side, throwing out every lifeline available. It’s time to end the shutdown and put people first—the same way that credit unions do every day.”

The package also contains language to:

• Reverse the shutdown-related reductions in force, including those at the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. America’s Credit Unions and leagues have advocated for the resumption of CDFI Fund activities once the shutdown ends, and spearheaded efforts to get 103 Republican members of Congress to sign a letter supporting the fund;
• Give affected federal employees back pay for time missed over the shutdown;
• Make increased funds available for Small Business Administration programs, including the 7(a) program; and
• Extends authorization of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act until Jan. 30.