On September 1, Congress cleared a bill to extend federal funding at current fiscal year 2026 (FY26) levels by passing a Continuing Resolution (CR) until after the November midterm elections, through December 11. The House passed the bill by an overwhelming vote of 370 yes to 48 no. In August, the Senate passed the same bill by a vote of 90-6. By passing this CR before the September 30, 2026 deadline, the end of FY26, Congress managed to avert a government shutdown. The bill now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law.

Not only did Congress prevent a government shutdown, but the CR will block the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed rule until December 11th. This proposed rule would allow political appointees to end grants for political reasons, significantly harming critical services for community college students. For more on the OMB rule, view ACCT's blog and formal comment. 

Nonetheless, the House and Senate are working to advance the 12 funding bills, known as appropriations bills, which would determine government funding for the rest of fiscal year 2027 (FY27). In June, the House Appropriations Committee passed a Republican-only bill for Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. 

Thanks to strong advocacy by community college leaders and other advocates, this year the House and Senate broke records for bipartisan support for Pell Grants. The House bill protects the Pell Grant but makes other critical cuts to community college students. 

The Senate is still working to reach bipartisan agreement on top lines for defense and nondefense spending before it can release its individual funding bills. Read ACCT's blog and detailed program table on the latest education and labor spending bill.

**Take Action Now! Email your House members and Senators where you live, work, and serve students to urge support for top community college priorities.**

Jonathan Elkin is the Director of Government Relations at ACCT