Majority Leader | Research | The Leader Board | THE NEWSR...Skip to primary navigation Skip to content×Close THE NEWSROOMRemarks Press Releases The Leader Board Op-Eds Videos SENATE RESOURCESRepublican Senators Committees Congressional Record Congress.gov Senate Floor Webcast ABOUT LEADER THUNE×Close THE NEWSROOMRemarks Press Releases The Leader Board Op-Eds Videos SENATE RESOURCESRepublican Senators Committees Congressional Record Congress.gov Senate Floor Webcast ABOUT LEADER THUNExxsearchxMENUFacebookXInstagramFacebookXInstagramVisit Leader Thune's South Dakota Site Here THE NEWSROOMRemarks Press Releases The Leader Board Op-Eds Videos SENATE RESOURCESRepublican Senators Committees Congressional Record Congress.gov Senate Floor Webcast ABOUT LEADER THUNExxsearchxMENUHomeTHE NEWSROOMThe Leader Board01.12.26Senate Poised to Continue Funding the Government Through Regular-Order AppropriationsAfter Past Obstruction from Democrats, the Senate Is Taking Steps This Week to Continue Advancing the FY2026 Appropriations Process THIS WEEK, THE SENATE IS CONSIDERING THREE APPROPRIATIONS BILLS THAT RECEIVED OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE“This is a fiscally responsible package that restrains spending while providing essential federal investments that will improve water infrastructure in our country, enhance our nation’s energy and national security, and spur scientific research necessary to maintain U.S. competitiveness.” – Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine)“The House passed three government spending bills Thursday, inching Congress closer to funding federal operations ahead of the Jan. 30 deadline to avoid a shutdown. The measures would fund the departments of Energy, Commerce, Interior and Justice, as well as water programs, the EPA and federal science initiatives through the end of the current fiscal year.” (Politico: House passes three-bill spending package with weeks left to avoid a shutdown – 1/8/26)“The Senate is expected to take up a minibus appropriations package that would fund the Department of Justice, Department of Commerce, key science agencies and other related entities; the Department of Energy and water development; and the Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency and other related agencies.” (The Hill: This week on The Hill: Lawmakers race to prevent partial government shutdown – 1/12/26)The FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides vital funding for science, cybersecurity, and law enforcement, including “$3.1 billion for programs that support police and sheriff departments such as Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, the bulletproof vest program, Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act programs, and DNA and forensics-related activities.” (U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Committee Releases Conferenced CJS, E&W, and Interior Bills – 1/8/26)The FY26 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act allocates funds to “improve critical American water infrastructure and promote American energy independence,” as well as funding to “help strengthen the U.S. nuclear deterrence posture, ensure nuclear stockpile readiness and safety, and prepare for existing and future nuclear threats.” (U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Committee Releases Conferenced CJS, E&W, and Interior Bills – 1/8/26)The FY26 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act “provides support for tribal programs, National Parks, public lands, domestic energy programs, timber production, and federal efforts to suppress wildfires.” (U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Committee Releases Conferenced CJS, E&W, and Interior Bills – 1/8/26)UNTIL DEMOCRATS FORCED THE LONGEST GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IN AMERICAN HISTORY, THE SENATE WAS EXPEDITIOUSLY CONSIDERING AND PASSING APPROPRIATIONS BILLS VIA REGULAR ORDERThe Senate passed three bipartisan appropriations bills before the August state work period, the first time the Senate passed any appropriations bills before the August state work period since 2018. (U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Senate Passes FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Bill – 8/1/25; U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Senate Passes FY 2026 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill – 8/1/25; U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Senate Passes FY 2026 MilCon-VA Appropriations Bill – 8/1/25; U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Senate Passes Appropriations Bills with Significant Wins for Maine – 8/1/25)However, the final bills were not passed and signed into law until November when Democrats finally decided to end the longest government shutdown in American history. (U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Bill Text: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Act, 2026 – 11/9/25; U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Bill Text: Legislative Branch Act, 2026 – 11/9/25; U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Bill Text: Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 – 11/9/25; H.R. 5371: Roll Call Vote #618 – 11/10/25)All in all, before Democrats shut down the government, the Senate Appropriations Committee had passed 8 appropriations bills. (U.S. Congress: Appropriations Status Table: FY2026 – accessed 1/12/26)Democrats “wanted a clean extension of expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies; — when they didn’t get it, they voted to allow a government shutdown to go on for 43 days. That didn’t work either. And while a small batch of Senate Democrats ultimately caved to end the standoff, Republicans remained steadfast, with GOP leadership offering virtually nothing in exchange.” (NOTUS: Democratic Leaders Hesitant to Wage Shutdown Over Disagreements With Trump Administration – 1/9/26)During the shutdown, Democrats voted against considering the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act, which would have funded paychecks and a raise for service members. (Politico: Senate Democrats tank military funding bill amid shutdown feud – 10/16/25; U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Senate Committee Approves FY 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill – 7/31/25)PrintEmailTweetPreviousTHE NEWSROOMSENATE RESOURCESABOUT LEADER THUNEFacebookXInstagram
