Senate Passes Continuing Resolution to Reopen Government, Final FY 2026 Appropriations Bills

Senator Collins led negotiations on the measure to end the government shutdown

Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Senate passed the legislation authored by U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to reopen government by a vote of 60 to 40. The legislation, which includes a continuing resolution and three full-year Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills, now awaits consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The continuing resolution would reopen government immediately, extend funding through January 30^th, and provide back pay to all federal workers. It does not include any poison pills.

The measure includes the final FY 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; and Legislative Branch appropriations bills. This three-bill package, which originally passed the Senate on August 1^st with overwhelming bipartisan support, would make full-year appropriations available for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Since the beginning of the shutdown, Senator Collins has been urging for the three appropriations bills to be attached to the continuing resolution to reopen government.

"This short-term continuing resolution would reopen government immediately, provide back pay to all federal workers, and fund important federal programs on which many Americans rely. The three full-year appropriations bills would support veterans, troops, farmers, and rural communities in Maine and across the country," said Senator Collins. "As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I am delighted with today's accomplishment, and I hope the House of Representatives will pass this legislation quickly so we can put an end to this unnecessary government shutdown."

Links:

Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Act, 2026

Legislative Branch Act, 2026

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