Palmetto Plain

Federal · H.R. 6500, Public Law 119-103

Federal stopgap funding law keeps the government open through Dec. 11 and extends flood insurance, highway programs and more

Signed Sept. 2, 2026

Published · Last updated

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The short version

  • Federal fiscal year 2027 began October 1, 2026. This law, a continuing resolution (CR), funds federal agencies at mostly FY2026 levels through the earlier of December 11, 2026 or passage of full-year spending bills, which prevents a shutdown on October 1.
  • It lets WIC, FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund and some other programs spend faster than the standard CR rate. It also extends the National Flood Insurance Program to December 11, 2026.
  • It extends federal highway, transit and road safety programs and the Highway Trust Fund to December 11, 2026, along with a set of Veterans Affairs programs.
  • The House passed the final version 370-48 on September 1 and the Senate passed it 90-6 on August 8. The President signed it September 2, 2026.
Status
Signed into law Sept. 2, 2026 as Public Law 119-103. Most funding runs through Dec. 11, 2026.
Official source
Congress.gov: H.R.6500, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 (Public Law 119-103)
Enrolled bill text (GovInfo/Congress.gov)

What it does

  • Keeps the government funded. Funding continues until the first of three events: the relevant appropriation is enacted, the full-year FY2027 appropriations act is enacted without it, or December 11, 2026. (Enrolled text, Division A, sec. 106) The Congressional Research Service (CRS) summary says the CR “funds most programs and activities at the FY2026 levels with several exceptions,” and that it “prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur” on October 1, 2026. (Congress.gov CRS summary)
  • Exceptions. WIC may be funded “at the rate for operations necessary to maintain participation.” FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund may spend at the rate needed for Stafford Act response and recovery. The CRS summary also lists exceptions for SBA loans, the Indian Health Service, the Justice Department and wildfire suppression. (Enrolled text, secs. 117 and 137; CRS summary)
  • Flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program authorities that would have expired September 30, 2026 now run to December 11, 2026. (Enrolled text, sec. 139)
  • Highways and transit. Federal highway, transit and road safety programs and the Highway Trust Fund are extended through December 11, 2026. (CRS summary, Division C)
  • Veterans. Several VA authorities are extended, including nursing home care for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rural RANGE mental health program. (CRS summary, Division D)
  • Hemp. The law delays parts of the new federal statutory definition of hemp until December 11, 2026. (CRS summary, sec. 2019)
  • Other extensions. These include grain inspection fees, cybersecurity information-sharing authority and passport fees through December 11, 2026, and trade preferences for sub-Saharan Africa (AGOA) and Haiti through 2028. (CRS summary, Division B)

Who it affects

Everyone who relies on federal services, as well as federal employees and contractors in South Carolina. Homeowners with NFIP flood insurance, which is common along the coast, can keep renewing and buying policies through December 11. WIC families, veterans and state road projects that use federal highway funds are also covered. (Enrolled text; CRS summary)

How it passed

The House first passed H.R. 6500 on January 12, 2026, by a vote of 340-54. The Senate passed an amended version 90-6 on August 8, 2026. The House agreed to the Senate amendments 370-48 on September 1, and the President signed the bill September 2. (Congress.gov actions) Reuters reported the signing. (Reuters, Sept. 3, 2026)

Current status

Law since September 2, 2026 (Public Law 119-103). (Congress.gov)

What happens next

Congress must pass full-year FY2027 spending bills, or another stopgap, by December 11, 2026 to avoid a lapse in funding. (Enrolled text, sec. 106)

Sources

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Every statement above is drawn from the official source text linked here; section references are shown in grey. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Spot an error? Tell us.