Senate Passes Funding Package Including the Labor-HHS Bill

On Friday evening, in a bipartisan 71-29 vote, and after Senators and the White House forged a compromise deal yesterday, the Senate passed a FY 26 funding package comprised of the Labor-HHS, Defense, Transportation-HUD, Financial Services, and National Security-State appropriations bills. Those bills would be funded through September, the remainder of the fiscal year. 

The Senate also passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) for the Department of Homeland Security through February 13, allowing more time for Congress and the White House to negotiate that bill. 

The five-bill funding package and Homeland Security CR now need to be passed in the House. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has said he hopes to bring up the bills under suspension of the rules, a fast-track process which requires a two-thirds vote in the House. A vote is expected as early as Monday. The likelihood of quick House passage remains uncertain.

The current CR for the six FY 26 bills, including the Labor-HHS bill, expired at midnight on Friday, triggering a partial government shutdown lasting until the House passes the funding package and President Trump signs the bills.