A Government Shutdown Might Be Averted – but We’re Not There Just Yet

The federal government is one step closer to being funded through December, but questions still remain about whether or not the Senate’s continuing resolution effort will successfully make it to President Donald Trump’s desk.

The Senate’s CR passed in a 90-6 vote last week, and now both chambers are out for August recess. The House of Representatives had already passed a Republican-backed CR, except GOP Senate leaders preferred to work with Democrats to navigate a path forward on the budget.

“After three unnecessary lapses in funding during the fiscal year 2026 cycle, putting the possibility of yet another harmful government shutdown off the table should be a priority for each and every one of us,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) said on Friday. 

“This straightforward measure would keep the government funded through December 11, protect vital programs and services, and give Congress additional time to continue our work on bipartisan appropriations bills,” Collins continued. “We cannot allow another damaging shutdown to disrupt the lives of federal workers and the Americans who depend on their work.”

Tonight on the Senate floor, I urged my colleagues to support the bipartisan continuing resolution I worked with members of both parties to craft as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

After three unnecessary lapses in funding during the fiscal year 2026 cycle, putting… pic.twitter.com/cj8isIXfKz

— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) August 8, 2026

If the federal government is not funded by September 30, it risks yet another shutdown. The government went without a budget for 43 days last fall, and the Department of Homeland Security had its own dragged out funding battle this spring, leading to serious headaches at airports.

The White House Office of Management and Budget has made it clear that the Executive Branch backs the Senate proposal, writing in a administration policy statement that “if this bill were presented to the President in its current form, his senior advisors would recommend that he sign it into law.”

“President Trump strongly opposes another futile Government shutdown. Every Member of Congress should support passage of this CR to keep the Government open as discussions on full year appropriations continue,” the statement reads.

White House Press Secretary Leavitt told Townhall last month that “the White House’s stance is that the government needs to be funded. This president and Republicans on Capitol Hill from both chambers […] the House and the Senate Republicans want to keep the government open.”

The current funding fight comes amid other intense battles in Congress, including the push for “Reconciliation 3.0″ to include extra Pentagon funding and some elements of the” SAVE America Act,” a major federal elections proposal. 

Townhall reached out to Speaker Mike Johnson’s office and the House Appropriations Committee for comment. 

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