As the January 30, 2026, deadline to complete the remaining funding bills approaches, and discussion of a potential or partial government shutdown increases, here is an update on the latest congressional action in the FY 2026 federal appropriations process.

So far, six of the 12 regular FY 2026 appropriations bills have been enacted into law. Three were included in the November 2025 Continuing Resolution covering Agriculture, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and the Legislative Branch. Three additional bills were signed into law on January 23, 2026, covering Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, and Interior and Environment.

The remaining six bills covering Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; Defense; Transportation and Housing and Urban Development; Homeland Security; Financial Services and General Government; and State and Foreign Operations have passed the U.S. House of Representatives but are still awaiting action in the U.S. Senate.

What Needs to Happen Next

To avoid a lapse in funding, Congress must pass and enact the remaining six regular FY 2026 appropriations bills or adopt another continuing resolution extending funding before January 30, 2026. 

If no agreement is reached by that date, affected agencies may enter a partial shutdown beginning January 31, 2026. 

IEDC will continue to monitor congressional activity on FY 2026 appropriations and provide timely updates as developments occur.