Susan Collins (R-ME)· Aug 8, 2026
S.Amdt. 6732: In the nature of a substitute.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
Jason Smith (R-MO)
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027
H.R. 6500 · House bill Economics and Public Finance
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-103.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
What this bill would do
This Act, titled the "Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027," provides funding and legal extensions for various government operations. Division A establishes continuing appropriations for several government departments and agencies for fiscal year 2027. Division B focuses on authorizing various legal and programmatic extensions across multiple sectors. Division C, the "Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2026," extends various surface transportation programs and trust funds. Division D provides several extensions for Department of Veterans Affairs programs and authorities. The Act generally aims to maintain current levels of operation through December 11, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 28
- Scored +10
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Extensively extends health, housing, and mental health benefits for veterans.
- Scored +8
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
Extends numerous benefits including housing, healthcare, and educational assistance for veterans.
- Scored +8
Does this help veterans get medical care?
Extends multiple critical healthcare and mental health services specifically for veterans.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -3
Does this reduce what is spent on the military?
Provides significant additional funding for shipbuilding and national security systems.
- Scored -2
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?
Reduces the Medicare Improvement Fund by approximately 21 million dollars.
- Scored -1
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Slightly negative due to the reduction in the Medicare Improvement Fund.
What Congress actually voted on
4 recorded votes have been taken on this bill. 3 of them decided something; the rest moved it along.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 340 yes · 54 no
01/12/2026 · Roll call 14 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
- The Senate: the vote on whether to pass the bill This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President. Passed 90 yes · 6 no
08/08/2026 · Roll call 228 · recorded as “On Passage of the Bill H.R. 6500”
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 370 yes · 48 no
09/01/2026 · Roll call 286 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendments”
- The Senate: a vote to end debate and allow a final vote In the Senate, debate can continue indefinitely unless 60 senators vote to end it. This vote is that attempt. It decides whether the Senate may vote on the thing at all — not whether the thing passes. A failed cloture vote usually ends the matter without anyone ever voting on its merits. Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to 89 yes · 4 no
08/03/2026 · Roll call 218 · recorded as “On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed H.R. 6500”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Continued Food Assistance: Provisions ensure that the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can maintain its rate of operation to keep participation levels steady (Sec. 117).
-
Support for Farm Loans: The Act allows for the continued operation of the Farm Service Agency to accommodate approved applications for direct and guaranteed farm ownership loans (Sec. 116).
-
Census Readiness: Funding is provided to maintain the buildup and testing of systems necessary for the 2030 Decennial Census Program (Sec. 120).
-
National Security and Infrastructure: The bill provides funding to maintain planned launch schedules for the Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite system (Sec. 121) and supports the legal activities of the Department of Justice (Sec. 122).
-
Disaster Relief and Wildfire Management: Funds are made available for wildfire suppression activities (Sec. 141) and for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to carry out response and recovery activities (Sec. 137).
-
Veterans Health and Housing: The bill extends funding for various veteran services, including the Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement Program (Sec. 4103), mental health support for family caregivers (Sec. 4105), and several programs aimed at assisting homeless veterans (Sec. 4301-4305).
-
Surface Transportation Stability: The act extends federal surface transportation programs, including the Highway Trust Fund and Mass Transit Account (Sec. 3101).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Department of Defense Production Limits: The Act prohibits the use of funds for the new production of items not funded in fiscal year 2026 or prior years, or for increasing production rates above those sustained in fiscal year 2026 (Sec. 102).
-
Restrictions on New Projects: Funds cannot be used to initiate, resume, or continue any project or activity that did not have available appropriations during fiscal year 2026 (Sec. 102, Sec. 104).
-
Limited Funding for High-Need Programs: For certain programs that typically have high initial rates of operation or complete distribution at the start of a fiscal year, the Act prevents high initial rates of operation or the awarding of grants that would impinge on final funding prerogakes (Sec. 109).
-
Personnel Expense Restrictions: Funds for civilian personnel compensation and benefits can only be used after the agency has taken all necessary actions to reduce or defer non-personnel-related administrative expenses (Sec. 112).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Extensively extends health, housing, and mental health benefits for veterans. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Provides significant additional funding for Indian Health Service facilities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Protects rental assistance, WIC benefits, and homeless assistance. Would business owners be better off under this? — Increases access to SBA general business loans. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Extends specially adapted housing and assistive technology grants for disabled veterans. Would farmers be better off under this? — Extends the US Grain Standards Act and farm ownership loan authority. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Improves rural veteran healthcare access and supports rural agricultural programs. Would children be better off under this? — Maintains funding for the WIC program for infants and children. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Extends funding for transit infrastructure and urban housing assistance. Would women be better off under this? — Maintains participation in the WIC program for women and infants. Would retired people be better off under this? — Negative impact due to the reduction in the Medicare Improvement Fund. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Slightly negative due to the reduction in the Medicare Improvement Fund.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Extends numerous benefits including housing, healthcare, and educational assistance for veterans. Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — Extends the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act and Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Extends the African Growth and Opportunity Act and Haiti Economic Lift Program. Does this send more money or help to other countries? — Extends the Food for Peace Act and trade programs like AGOA and Haiti Economic Lift. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — Provides funding to host the G7 Financial Summit. Does this reduce what is spent on the military? — Provides significant additional funding for shipbuilding and national security systems.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — Increases temporary disaster relief for the Northern Mariana Islands by $21.4 million. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — Extends funding for federal transit infrastructure grants. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — Extends federal surface transportation programs and Highway Trust Fund authorizations. Does this invest in rural communities? — Extends the US Grain Standards Act and provides rural veteran healthcare access.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — Provides authority to prevent termination of rental assistance for families and funds for veteran housing. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Extends funding for homeless veterans' housing and reintegration grants. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Maintains participation rates for WIC and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — Extends the authority of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — Extends multiple critical healthcare and mental health services specifically for veterans. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Extends funding for veteran suicide prevention and family caregiver mental health support. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Provides additional funding for staffing and operating Indian Health Service facilities. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — Reduces the Medicare Improvement Fund by approximately 21 million dollars.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Increases funding to accommodate demand for general business loans and loan guarantees via the SBA. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill includes several rescissions of unobligated balances from various programs.
- Public Law (9/3/2026)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
The changes one chamber made to the other chamber’s version, as it passed them
In the queue for a floor vote, with no date set
John Thune (R-SD)· Aug 8, 2026
S.Amdt. 6736: To improve the bill.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
John Thune (R-SD)· Aug 8, 2026
S.Amdt. 6737: To improve the bill.
Withdrawn
SA 6737 fell when SA 6736 withdrawn.
John Thune (R-SD)· Aug 8, 2026
S.Amdt. 6738: To improve the bill.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
John Thune (R-SD)· Aug 8, 2026
S.Amdt. 6739: To improve the bill.
Withdrawn
SA 6739 fell when SA 6738 withdrawn.
John Thune (R-SD)· Aug 7, 2026
S.Amdt. 6740: To improve the bill.
Withdrawn
SA 6740 (the instructions of the motion to commit) fell when cloture invoked on amendment SA 6732.
John Thune (R-SD)· Aug 7, 2026
S.Amdt. 6741: To improve the bill.
Withdrawn
SA 6741 fell when SA 6740 fell.
John Thune (R-SD)· Aug 7, 2026
S.Amdt. 6742: To improve the bill.
Withdrawn
SA 6742 fell when SA 6741 fell.
Ted Budd (R-NC)· Aug 8, 2026
S.Amdt. 6747: To strike section 2019.
Tabled
6132
The count is the vote to set it aside, which ended it without a vote on the amendment itself.
Susan Collins (R-ME)· Aug 8, 2026
S.Amdt. 6750: To amend the title.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
- 9/2/2026
- Presented to President.
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-103.
- 9/1/2026
- Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 370 - 48 (Roll no. 286). (consideration: CR H5387; text: CR H5377-5383)
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 370 - 48 (Roll no. 286). (consideration: CR H5387; text: CR H5377-5383)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on motion to agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 6500.
- Mr. Cole moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments. (consideration: CR H5377-5385)
- 8/10/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 8/8/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 90 - 6. Record Vote Number: 228.
- Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 90 - 6. Record Vote Number: 228.
- 8/7/2026
- Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4542, S4546-4547, S4553-4555)
- Motion by Senator Thune to commit to Senate Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment SA 6740 fell when cloture on amendment SA 6732 was invoked in Senate.
- 8/5/2026
- Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4448)
- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (CR S4448)
- Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S4448-4449)
- Motion by Senator Thune to commit to Senate Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment SA 6740 made in Senate.
- Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4449)
- 8/4/2026
- Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4415)
- 8/3/2026
- Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 89 - 4. Record Vote Number: 218. (CR S4405)
- Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4414)
- 7/30/2026
- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S4360)
- Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4365)
- 2/10/2026
- Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 320.
- 2/9/2026
- Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- 1/13/2026
- Received in the Senate.
- 1/12/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 340 - 54 (Roll no. 14). (text: CR H637)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 340 - 54 (Roll no. 14). (text: CR H637)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H646)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6500.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H637-642)
- Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 12/30/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-416.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 362.
- 12/10/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 37 - 3.
- 12/9/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Adrian SmithRepublican · Nebraska