Government shutdown countdown
Until funding runs out (12:01 a.m. Eastern, Saturday, December 12)
32 days
The government is running on a stopgap law that funds it through Friday, December 11, 2026. If Congress doesn't pass another law by then, the federal government shuts down.
Where the 12 spending bills stand
House: 3 of 12 passed. Senate: 0. Signed into law: 0.
| Spending bill | House | Senate | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | passed | not passed | not passed |
| Commerce, Justice, Science | not passed | not passed | not passed |
| Defense | not passed | not passed | not passed |
| Energy and Water | not passed | not passed | not passed |
| Financial Services and General Government | not passed | not passed | not passed |
| Homeland Security | not passed | not passed | not passed |
| Interior and Environment | not passed | not passed | not passed |
| Labor, Health and Human Services, Education | not passed | not passed | not passed |
| Legislative Branch | not passed | not passed | not passed |
| Military Construction and Veterans Affairs | passed | not passed | not passed |
| National Security and State | passed | not passed | not passed |
| Transportation and Housing (THUD) | not passed | not passed | not passed |
As reported through November 9, 2026. The Senate hadn't passed any before the pre-election recess.
The options
- Another continuing resolution: an extension at current funding. A House Republican quoted by Fox News expects one running into February or March, under the new Congress.
- Full-year spending bills, one at a time or bundled together.
- Nothing: funding lapses and the government shuts down on December 12.
Democrats, who won both chambers, take over on January 3, 2027. What a lame-duck session is
Funding votes in Congress
- Sep 1, 2026 · House — On Passage, H.R. 9436: Passed 219–196
- Sep 1, 2026 · House — On Motion to Recommit, H.R. 9436: Failed 202–212
Also expiring December 11
- The extension of federal surface transportation (highway and transit) programs.
- The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
- The EPA's fee authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Several health programs and TANF funding expire on December 31.
Questions
When does government funding run out?
The current stopgap law funds the government through Friday, December 11, 2026. Without a new law, funding lapses at 12:01 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, December 12.
What can Congress do?
Pass full-year spending bills, another continuing resolution (a short-term extension), or nothing, in which case the government shuts down. Any of them needs to pass the House and Senate and be signed by the president.
What happens in a shutdown?
Excepted employees keep working without pay and the rest are furloughed. Since 2019, the law guarantees federal employees back pay; contractors aren't covered.
What happens if the government shuts down · This week in Congress · How a bill becomes law
Sources: Holland & Knight, "Beyond the Midterms: Congress Faces Converging Year-End Deadlines" (October 2026); Fox News (November 9, 2026); Congressional Research Service, R47693. Votes: Congress.gov, the House Clerk and senate.gov.
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