The United States House of Representatives passed a short-term continuing resolution late Tuesday aimed at preventing a potential federal government shutdown by extending current funding levels through December 4. The legislation, designated as H.R. 9770 or the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027, passed by a margin of 220 to 205. Six Democratic representatives crossed party lines to vote with the Republican majority in favor of the measure, while one Republican voted against it.
The stopgap measure extends federal operations past the upcoming September 30 fiscal deadline, effectively pushing the next major fiscal funding debate until after the November midterm elections. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the early vote as a responsible effort to secure government stability and shield critical public operations from partisan disruption leading into the elections. He criticized the majority of House Democrats for opposing the measure, suggesting that political calculations were driving opposition to the extension.
House Appropriations Committee leaders emphasized that the stopgap contains no controversial policy riders or funding additions, functioning strictly as a clean extension of current funding levels. While the House has advanced all twelve individual appropriations bills through committee, lawmakers acknowledged that additional time is required to negotiate full-year spending agreements with the Senate. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration ahead of the end of the fiscal year.
