Congress averts a government shutdown ahead of midterms : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-09-01 13:06:00 — www.npr.org
President Trump is expected to sign a bipartisan measure that will extend federal government funding through December 11, temporarily averting a shutdown as midterm elections approach. The House passed the stopgap bill 370-48, following the Senate’s earlier approval, after negotiations on a longer-term funding solution broke down.
The White House encouraged lawmakers to support the continuing resolution, which maintains current spending levels with a few exceptions. This move comes after a year marked by two record-long government shutdowns, including a 43-day standoff over health insurance subsidies and a 76-day closure at the Department of Homeland Security amid contentious debates over immigration enforcement.
Trump’s immigration crackdown was a central issue during these shutdowns, elevating the national debate but ultimately leaving Democrats unable to secure concrete policy concessions. As Congress punts the funding fight until after the elections, Trump’s expected approval of the measure signals a temporary pause in the ongoing partisan battles over federal spending and immigration policy.
The decision to sign the stopgap bill highlights the administration’s willingness to avoid a politically damaging shutdown ahead of the elections, even as deeper disagreements remain unresolved. The months-long standoffs underscore the challenges of reaching bipartisan consensus on major issues, with Trump’s policies continuing to shape the contours of the debate.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/01/nx-s1-5951536/house-government-funding-vote-midterms