Senate approves stopgap bill to keep government open Dec 11

The Senate advanced a bipartisan stopgap spending bill on Monday, August 3, 2026, moving to avert a government shutdown this fall and setting up a final vote later in the week. The continuing resolution would extend current government funding levels through December 11, providing lawmakers more than two additional months to negotiate full-year appropriations bills for fiscal year 2027 before the new fiscal year begins on October 1.

The procedural vote paves the way for Senate passage before lawmakers depart for an August recess. The measure must then return to the House, which passed its own version last month, for final approval before being sent to President Donald Trump. Top appropriators from both parties, Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, and Vice Chair Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, negotiated the proposal to secure the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.

Collins described the resolution as a straightforward step to avoid a damaging shutdown, emphasizing it provides Congress the necessary time to continue work on bipartisan full-year spending bills. Murray stated the bill blocks a corrupt policy and closes a loophole...