Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Key claim: Public Law 119-37 ends the October 2025 government shutdown by providing FY2026 continuing appropriations through January 30, 2026 for most federal agencies and full-year funding for agriculture, legislative branch, military construction, and veterans affairs programs.
Abstract
(HR5371 · 119th Congress) Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 This act ends the government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, by providing FY2026 continuing appropriations for most federal agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing appropriations through the end of FY2026 for agriculture, military construction and veterans affairs, and legislative branch programs. It also extends various expiring programs and authorities. (Sec. 3) This section provides that references to this Act included in any division of this act refer only to the provisions of that division unless the act expressly provides otherwise. (Sec. 4) This section provides that the explanatory statement regarding this act that was printed in the Congressional Record has the same effect with respect to the allocation of funds and implementation of Divisions B through D of this act as a joint explanatory statement of a conference committee. (Sec. 5) This section specifies that the sums in this act are appropriated for FY2026. DIVISION A–CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026 This division provides continuing FY2026 appropriations to most federal agencies through the earlier of January 30, 2026, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and ends the government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, because the FY2026 appropriations bills had not been enacted. The CR funds most programs and activities at the FY2025 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility and additional appropriations for various programs. (Sec. 101) This section generally provides FY2026 appropriations to most federal agencies for continuing projects or activities at the levels and under the conditions included in the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. It also specifies several exceptions. (Sec. 102) This section prohibits the Department Latest action (2025-11-12): Became Public Law No: 119-37.
Why this matters
Enacting full-year FY2026 funding for USDA, FDA, and rural development programs provides certainty for farmers relying on farm production, conservation, and rural development payments, and for consumers dependent on SNAP, WIC, and FDA food safety oversight. By locking in agriculture funding while leaving most other agencies on a short-term CR through January 30, 2026, the law insulates the food and farm system from the next potential shutdown cliff.