01 — The Text
What.
- Continues federal spending at 2026 levels through December 4, 2026, preventing a government shutdown when fiscal year 2027 begins October 1.
- Includes exceptions that boost funding for WIC, Small Business Administration loans, disaster relief, Indian Health Service, and wildfire suppression.
- Extends expiring programs: National Flood Insurance Program, livestock price reporting, TANF, and DC's authority to spend local funds.
- Freezes congressional cost-of-living adjustments and limits pay raises for the Vice President and senior appointees.
02 — The Stakes
So what?
- Affects 330+ million Americans by keeping federal services running—food assistance, disaster response, health care—without interruption.
- Low-income families benefit from WIC and TANF continuity; small businesses and disaster victims gain dedicated funding increases.
- Congress avoids shutdown chaos that typically triggers market uncertainty, delayed paychecks for federal workers, and halted services.
- Congressional pay freeze signals fiscal restraint while most federal spending remains flat—a tradeoff between continuity and austerity.
03 — The Path
Now what?
- Bill introduced July 18, 2026; referred to Appropriations and Budget committees. House Rules Committee approved floor debate structure July 20.
- Next step: full House floor vote expected within days, then Senate approval needed before October 1 deadline.
- Contact your House representative to register your position on government funding priorities and spending levels.
Legislative History
Actions.
- Jul 20, 2026 — Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1438 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955 and H.R. 9770. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8800 under a structured rule and for consideration of H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770 under a closed rule, with one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit H.R. 8800, H.R. 8844, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770.
- Jul 18, 2026 — Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Jul 18, 2026 — Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Jul 18, 2026 — Introduced in House
- Jul 18, 2026 — Introduced in House