Fall Shutdown Fears Grow as Congress Hits Funding Roadblock

Congress is running into roadblocks in the fiscal year (FY) 2027 appropriations process, raising the possibility of another government funding lapse this fall.

According to Politico, members of both parties say the chances of a shutdown are rising come the end of the fiscal year on September 30, which hits just five weeks before the midterm elections.

Democrats say the use of a reconciliation process by Republicans to pass the bill funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) without any Democratic votes, is rubbing them the wrong way.

“It’s not helpful for sure,” said Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), noting that it “makes it very difficult for us moving forward.”

And while political observers say a continuing resolution is likely to avoid a shutdown before the election, some Republicans think Democratic leaders may use it as leverage. 

“I think he is going to shut the government down in September because that would create more chaos,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) referring to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). “I wish I didn’t have to say that, but I think it’s a reality.”

Meetings Canceled

Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations Committee has canceled meetings. Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Murray are at an impasse over top-line numbers of FY 2027 spending. 

Democrats insist on a top-line figure that balances out increased defense spending with more money for domestic priorities. Republicans want to get bills moving without a top-line agreement to get going on the process. 

House Update

The full House meanwhile passed its second of the 12 appropriations bills.

The House passed the Agriculture bill by a vote of 213-210. It earlier passed the Military Construction- Veterans Affairs bill by a vote of 400-15.

Earlier in June, the Labor-HHS-Education bill was passed out of committee, as was the Transportation-HUD bill and Homeland Security bill. Only the Defense bill has yet to pass the committee stage.