Analyst Brief July 20, 2026

H.R. ___ — Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027 (Sponsored by Rep. Cole / Appropriations Committee) WEEK OF MARCH 23 WEEK OF MARCH 23 WEEK OF MARCH 23 WEEK OF MARCH 23 WEEK OF MARCH 23

Current Status

Introduced

Executive Summary

This bill is a Continuing Resolution (CR) that extends federal government funding for Fiscal Year 2027 at FY 2026 enacted levels through December 4, 2026. It prevents a government shutdown while Congress negotiates final full-year appropriations. The legislation includes standard CR anomalies, such as preventing new Department of Defense starts, allowing necessary apportionment to avoid civilian furloughs, and providing specific funding bumps for Indian Health Services facilities and wildland fire suppression. Politically, it also blocks the automatic cost-of-living adjustment for Members of Congress.

Bill Data

Primary Sponsor

Rep. Cole

Bill Number

H.R. ___

Session

119th

Co-Sponsors

None

Arguments For

  • Prevents a disruptive government shutdown right before the holidays, providing baseline stability for federal agencies and financial markets.
  • Gives appropriators additional time to negotiate final FY 2027 spending bills without forcing immediate, painful concessions.
  • Includes necessary anomalies to address urgent, time-sensitive needs like wildfire suppression and staffing for newly opened Indian Health facilities.
  • Provides political cover by explicitly blocking Member of Congress pay raises during the CR period.

Likely Supporters

Federal employee unionsGovernment contractors (seeking stability)Chamber of Commerce

Arguments Against

  • Continues the reliance on stopgap funding, which severely disrupts long-term agency planning, contracting, and hiring.
  • Harms military readiness and modernization by explicitly barring the Department of Defense from initiating new starts or increasing production rates.
  • Fails to address emerging policy priorities or adjust funding levels for inflation across most non-defense agencies.
  • Pushes the fiscal cliff to December, setting up a massive, high-stakes omnibus battle right before the holidays.

Likely Opponents

Defense hawks (due to new start prohibitions)Hardline fiscal conservatives (opposing baseline spending extensions)

📋 Key Provisions

  • Extends FY 2026 funding levels and conditions for all 12 regular appropriations bills through December 4, 2026.
  • Prohibits the Department of Defense from initiating new projects, increasing production rates, or starting multi-year procurements not funded in FY 2026.
  • Authorizes agencies to apportion funds at a rate necessary to avoid civilian personnel furloughs.
  • Provides specific funding anomalies for Indian Health Services ($75.7M) and Indian Health Facilities ($8.2M) to staff and operate newly opened facilities.
  • Allows the Department of the Interior and Forest Service to apportion funds at the rate necessary for wildfire suppression activities.
  • Blocks the automatic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Members of Congress during the period covered by the Act.
  • Appropriates $174,000 each for death gratuities to the widow of Rep. David A. Scott and the heirs of Sen. Lindsey O. Graham.
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Claim Analysis Page 5, Line 16

Sets the expiration date of the Continuing Resolution to December 4, 2026.

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"(3) December 4, 2026."

Claim Analysis Page 3, Line 22

Prohibits the Department of Defense from funding the new production of items not funded in FY 2026.

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"the new production of items not funded for pro-"

Claim Analysis Page 13, Line 19

Provides $75,774,000 for Indian Health Services for staffing and operating new facilities.

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"of $75,774,000, for an additional amount for costs of"

Claim Analysis Page 15, Line 12

Blocks the cost-of-living adjustment for Members of Congress.

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"law, no adjustment shall be made under section 601(a)"