Ends the 2025 government shutdown and extends federal funding into 2026

§1What it does

Why this matters: A plain-English description of the bill as it was voted on, written by us from the official summary and text.

✎ Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

This law ended the federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, by funding most federal agencies at their 2025 levels, with some exceptions, through January 30, 2026, or until their regular yearly funding bills were enacted.^2,3 It also included three full-year funding bills for the 2026 budget year, covering the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Congress and its support agencies.^2,3 It provided back pay to federal employees who went unpaid during the shutdown, barred agencies from carrying out layoffs known as reductions in force through January 30, 2026, and reversed such layoffs made during the shutdown.^2,3 It also extended several expiring programs and authorities, including some public health, Medicare and Medicaid programs, veterans benefits, and authority to counter threats from drones.^2,3

§2Status

§3How Congress voted

Why this matters: The official count.