Washington, D.C., September 17, 2025 – The U.S. House of Representatives took a critical step on Tuesday to prevent a looming government shutdown, advancing a temporary funding measure designed to keep federal agencies operational beyond the September 30 deadline. The bipartisan stopgap bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), cleared a key procedural hurdle with a vote of 235-174, setting the stage for a final vote later this week. This legislative maneuver reflects the ongoing challenges Congress faces in reaching consensus on long-term federal funding, a recurring issue that has pushed the government to the brink of shutdowns multiple times in recent years.
The continuing resolution, if passed by both chambers of Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden, will extend government funding through mid-December 2025. This temporary measure buys lawmakers additional time to negotiate a comprehensive federal budget for the fiscal year that began on October 1, 2024. The bill also includes $10.4 billion in emergency disaster relief to address the devastating impacts of recent natural disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires, which have strained state and local resources.
A Bipartisan Effort Amid Political Tensions
The House vote saw 235 lawmakers—comprising both Democrats and Republicans—supporting the procedural motion to move the bill forward. The measure garnered bipartisan backing, though it faced opposition from 174 members, primarily conservative Republicans who expressed frustration with the reliance on short-term funding patches. Critics of the CR argue that it fails to address deeper fiscal concerns, such as the growing national debt and the need for spending reforms.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who has been navigating a fractious Republican caucus, emphasized the necessity of the stopgap measure. “This is about keeping the government open and operational for the American people,” Johnson said during a press conference following the vote. “We’re committed to working across the aisle to ensure that critical services continue without interruption while we address the bigger picture of fiscal responsibility.”
Democrats, while supportive of the CR, stressed the importance of the disaster relief funding included in the package. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) highlighted the urgency of providing aid to communities recovering from recent natural disasters. “Families and businesses across the country are hurting, and this bill ensures that they receive the support they need to rebuild,” Jeffries stated. “We must continue to work together to pass a full-year budget that reflects the priorities of the American people.”
The Context of Government Shutdowns
Government shutdowns occur when Congress fails to pass, or the president refuses to sign, legislation that funds federal agencies and operations. Since the modern budgeting process was established in the 1970s, the U.S. government has experienced 22 shutdowns, with the most recent occurring in 2018-2019, lasting 35 days and becoming the longest in U.S. history. Shutdowns disrupt a wide range of federal services, from national parks and passport offices to scientific research and veterans’ services, while furloughing hundreds of thousands of federal workers.
The current stopgap measure aims to avoid such disruptions by extending funding at current levels until December 20, 2025. This deadline aligns with the holiday season, a period when lawmakers are typically eager to avoid the political fallout of a shutdown. However, the temporary nature of the CR underscores the challenges of achieving consensus in a deeply divided Congress, where partisan priorities and ideological differences often complicate budget negotiations.
The Role of Disaster Relief Funding
A significant component of the continuing resolution is the $10.4 billion allocated for disaster relief. This funding targets states and communities grappling with the aftermath of hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters that have struck the U.S. in recent months. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers disaster relief, has faced increasing pressure as climate-driven extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.
In August 2025, Hurricane Marco made landfall in the Gulf Coast, causing widespread flooding and infrastructure damage in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Weeks later, wildfires in California and Oregon destroyed thousands of homes and displaced tens of thousands of residents. These disasters have stretched FEMA’s budget, prompting calls from state governors and congressional delegations for immediate federal assistance.
The disaster relief funds in the CR will replenish FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, which supports recovery efforts such as rebuilding infrastructure, providing temporary housing, and assisting small businesses. “This funding is a lifeline for communities that have lost everything,” said Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), whose district was heavily impacted by Hurricane Marco. “We can’t afford to let bureaucracy or partisan gridlock delay aid to those in need.”
Political Dynamics and Opposition
While the stopgap bill enjoys broad support, it has not been without controversy. A group of conservative Republicans, particularly those aligned with the House Freedom Caucus, voted against the procedural motion, arguing that the CR perpetuates reckless spending. These lawmakers have long advocated for significant cuts to federal programs, stricter debt ceiling controls, and reforms to the budgeting process.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a vocal critic of the CR, described it as a “band-aid solution” that fails to address the nation’s $33 trillion national debt. “We’re kicking the can down the road again, refusing to make the tough choices needed to get our fiscal house in order,” Roy said on the House floor. He and other conservatives have called for a “clean” CR—one without additional spending, such as the disaster relief funds—or a more comprehensive plan to reduce federal expenditures.
On the other side of the aisle, some progressive Democrats expressed concerns that the CR does not go far enough to address pressing domestic priorities, such as affordable housing, healthcare access, and climate change mitigation. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) acknowledged the importance of the disaster relief funding but urged her colleagues to prioritize long-term investments in resilience against future disasters. “We can’t keep responding to crises after the fact,” she said. “We need a budget that tackles the root causes of these challenges, including climate change.”
The Path Forward: Senate and Presidential Approval
Following the House’s procedural vote, the CR is expected to face a final vote in the chamber later this week. If passed, the bill will move to the Senate, where it is likely to encounter fewer obstacles. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has signaled strong support for the measure, emphasizing the need to avoid a shutdown and provide disaster relief. “The Senate stands ready to act swiftly to keep the government running and support communities in crisis,” Schumer said in a statement.
The Senate’s approval process is expected to be smoother due to its rules, which require a 60-vote majority to advance most legislation, encouraging bipartisan cooperation. However, individual senators could attempt to delay the process by introducing amendments or engaging in extended debate, a tactic known as a filibuster. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has urged his colleagues to prioritize passage of the CR, warning that a shutdown would harm both the economy and public confidence in government.
Once the bill clears Congress, it will be sent to President Biden, who has indicated he will sign it into law. The Biden administration has repeatedly called on Congress to avoid a shutdown, emphasizing the importance of maintaining government operations and delivering aid to disaster-stricken areas. In a statement released on Monday, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) underscored the urgency of passing the CR, noting that a lapse in funding could delay critical services and hinder recovery efforts.
Broader Implications for Federal Budgeting
The reliance on continuing resolutions has become a hallmark of the U.S. budgeting process in recent decades. Since the 1990s, Congress has passed CRs nearly every year to bridge gaps in funding while lawmakers negotiate full-year appropriations bills. This pattern reflects the increasing polarization in Washington, where disagreements over spending priorities, tax policy, and entitlement programs often stall progress.
The current CR extends funding at fiscal year 2024 levels, meaning that federal agencies will continue to operate under the same budget constraints as the previous year. While this ensures continuity of services, it limits agencies’ ability to launch new initiatives or adjust to changing needs. For example, the Department of Defense, which relies on predictable funding to maintain military readiness, has expressed concerns about the uncertainty caused by short-term funding measures.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle acknowledge that a long-term budget agreement is necessary to address these challenges. However, negotiations for a full-year budget are expected to be contentious, particularly as the 2026 midterm elections approach. Key sticking points include funding for social programs, defense spending, and border security, as well as debates over raising the federal debt ceiling, which is projected to be reached in early 2026.
Economic and Social Impacts of a Potential Shutdown
A government shutdown, if it were to occur, would have far-reaching consequences for the U.S. economy and society. Federal workers, including air traffic controllers, law enforcement officers, and scientists, could face furloughs or be required to work without pay until funding is restored. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, approximately 800,000 federal employees were affected, with many struggling to cover basic expenses such as rent and childcare.
Essential services, such as Social Security payments and Medicare, would likely continue, but other programs, such as food assistance for low-income families and small business loans, could face delays. National parks, museums, and other federally funded sites would close, impacting tourism and local economies. In addition, a shutdown could disrupt federal contracting, delaying payments to businesses that rely on government work.
The economic ripple effects of a shutdown are significant. A 2019 report by the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown reduced U.S. GDP by $11 billion, with $3 billion in permanent losses due to reduced economic activity. While a short-term shutdown in 2025 would likely have a smaller impact, prolonged disruptions could erode consumer confidence and exacerbate economic uncertainty, particularly in the context of ongoing inflation and global supply chain challenges.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
As Congress moves toward final passage of the continuing resolution, the focus will soon shift to the broader task of crafting a full-year budget. Lawmakers face a December 20 deadline to reach an agreement, a process that will test their ability to bridge partisan divides. Key priorities for Democrats include increased funding for education, healthcare, and climate initiatives, while Republicans are likely to push for defense spending and border security measures.
The inclusion of disaster relief in the CR highlights the growing importance of addressing climate-related challenges in federal budgeting. As extreme weather events become more frequent, lawmakers will need to balance immediate relief efforts with long-term investments in infrastructure and resilience. This issue is likely to remain a focal point in budget negotiations, particularly as coastal and western states advocate for increased federal support.
For now, the House’s advancement of the stopgap bill represents a critical step in averting a government shutdown and providing aid to disaster-stricken communities. However, it also underscores the persistent challenges of governing in a divided political landscape, where short-term fixes often take precedence over long-term solutions. As the December deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Congress to see whether it can rise above partisan gridlock to deliver a budget that meets the needs of the American people.
