Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026

Bill Number: H.R. 5371
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Economics and Public Finance
Status: Became Law
Became Law: Public Law 119-37
Latest Action: 2025-11-12: Became Public Law No: 119-37.
Last Updated: 2026-06-16T13:57:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This Act, titled the "Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026" (H.R. 5371), primarily serves to fund federal government operations through a mix of continuing resolutions and full-year appropriations for fiscal year (FY) 2026 (October 1, 2025–September 30, 2026). It avoids a government shutdown by extending funding for most departments at prior-year levels until January 30, 2026, while providing dedicated appropriations for agriculture, rural development, food safety, legislative operations, military construction, veterans' programs, and health initiatives. It also extends expiring agricultural, health, and veterans' authorities to maintain program continuity.

Key Provisions Outlined

Continuing Appropriations (Division A): Extends FY 2025 funding levels for non-exempt projects and activities through January 30, 2026, at a rate necessary to maintain operations. Includes restrictions on new Defense Department production or projects, protections for civilian personnel (e.g., no reductions in force), and specific funding boosts (e.g., $30 million for U.S. Marshals Service protective operations). Authorizes limited apportionments to avoid furloughs and ratifies prior obligations during potential lapses.

Agriculture and Related Agencies (Division B): Provides full FY 2026 appropriations, including:
$1.793 billion for Agricultural Research Service salaries/expenses.
$1.158 billion for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
$1.215 billion for Food Safety and Inspection Service.
$37.842 billion for Child Nutrition Programs.
$8.200 billion for WIC (Women, Infants, and Children).
$107.481 billion for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
$6.958 billion for FDA salaries/expenses (including user fees for drugs, devices, and tobacco).
Rural development loans/guarantees totaling billions (e.g., $25 billion for Section 502 guaranteed loans).

Legislative Branch (Division C): Funds Senate and House operations, including $311.543 million for Senate salaries, $2.083 billion for House salaries/expenses, $653.422 million for Capitol Police, and $74.750 million for Congressional Budget Office. Supports modernization initiatives ($4 million) and security enhancements.

Military Construction and VA (Division D): Allocates $2.382 billion for Army construction, $5.726 billion for Navy/Marine Corps, $3.926 billion for Air Force, and $3.784 billion for Defense-wide projects (available until September 30, 2030). Provides $1.394 billion for VA major construction projects. VA health funding includes $59.858 billion for medical services (plus $38.700 billion for community care) starting October 1, 2026. Extends family housing and base closure accounts.

Agricultural Extensions (Division E): Extends programs from the 2018 Farm Bill (e.g., grain standards, dairy pricing, conservation) through September 30, 2026, at FY 2025 levels, with exceptions for certain mandatory funding.

Health Extenders (Division F): Extends Medicare provisions (e.g., low-volume hospital adjustments, MDH program) through January 30, 2026; funds community health centers ($1.424 billion pro-rated) and diabetes programs ($106.290 million pro-rated); reauthorizes OTC drug user fees through FY 2030.

VA Extenders (Division G): Extends VA authorities (e.g., copayments for care, suicide prevention grants, homeless programs) through September 30, 2026; improves partial claim housing program.

Miscellaneous (Division H): Exempts budgetary effects from PAYGO rules; rescinds prior unobligated balances (e.g., $30 million from conservation operations).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Continuing Resolution Duration: Shortens the standard CR period to January 30, 2026, from typical full-year extensions, with targeted full appropriations in key areas.
Defense Restrictions: Prohibits new production or multi-year procurements without specific FY 2026 funding; allows limited apportionments for shipbuilding completion.
VA Housing Improvements: Amends partial claim program (38 U.S.C. § 3737) to clarify foreclosure rules, extend repayment to 180 days, and enable non-judicial sales to discharge claims.
OTC Drug Fees: Reauthorizes and adjusts user fees (21 U.S.C. §§ 744L–744N) through FY 2030, with inflation adjustments and a one-time workload fee; adds non-animal testing guidance for topical drugs.
Health Extensions: Delays Medicare sequestration cuts; extends telehealth flexibilities (e.g., no geographic limits) to January 30, 2026; phases in lab payment changes.
Rescissions: Cancels $2.030 billion from prior VA medical services and other unobligated funds (e.g., $78 million from Working Capital Fund).

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Ensures operational continuity for ~4 months, preventing shutdowns; boosts FDA ($6.958 billion) and VA health ($59.858 billion + $38.700 billion community care) funding, potentially reducing backlogs in claims/benefits processing. Military construction ($16.6 billion total) supports infrastructure but limits new starts.
Citizens: Maintains SNAP ($107.481 billion), WIC ($8.200 billion), and child nutrition ($37.842 billion) benefits for low-income families; extends veterans' health/telehealth access, reducing copays and wait times. Rural areas benefit from $1.424 billion pro-rated for health centers.
International Relations: Supports NATO security investments ($481.832 million) and foreign agricultural aid ($1.200 billion Food for Peace); extends U.S. grain standards, aiding global trade.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal Agencies: USDA (agriculture/rural programs), FDA (drug safety), VA (health/benefits for 18+ million veterans), DoD (construction for 1.3 million active personnel), Congress (legislative operations).
Citizens/Veterans: 9 million+ veterans (healthcare/housing), 42 million SNAP recipients, 6.5 million WIC participants, farmers (crop insurance/loans), rural communities (broadband/health access).
Businesses/Industry: Agribusiness (research/inspection funding), defense contractors (construction projects), pharma (OTC fees/guidance), hospitals (Medicare adjustments).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Budgetary/Sequestration: Exempts from PAYGO scorecards, avoiding automatic cuts under the 1985 Balanced Budget Act; rescinds $2.030 billion from prior VA funds, signaling fiscal restraint.
Constitutional: Reinforces separation of powers via CR (avoids shutdown per Article I); VA extenders uphold veterans' benefits (Article I, Section 8).
Political: Bipartisan funding package amid divided Congress; prioritizes veterans/agriculture amid election-year politics; OTC reforms promote innovation while ensuring safety, potentially reducing regulatory burdens on industry. Delays in Medicare cuts (e.g., DSH allotments) provide rural hospital relief, influencing healthcare policy debates.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]

Recent Actions

2025-11-12: Became Public Law No: 119-37.
2025-11-12: Became Public Law No: 119-37.
2025-11-12: Signed by President.
2025-11-12: Signed by President.
2025-11-12: Presented to President.
2025-11-12: Presented to President.
2025-11-12: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-11-12: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 222 - 209 (Roll no. 285). (text: CR H4609-4652) (Roll call 285)
2025-11-12: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 222 - 209 (Roll no. 285). (Roll call 285)
2025-11-12: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2025-11-12: Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 873, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5371.
2025-11-12: Mr. Cole moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H4652-4664)
2025-11-12: Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 873, Mr. Cole moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5371.
2025-11-10: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
2025-11-10: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 60 - 40. Record Vote Number: 618. (Roll call 618)

Bill Versions

Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 — issued 2025-11-10 — PDF (394 pages)
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — issued 2025-09-19 — PDF (94 pages)
Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 — issued 2025-11-13 — PDF (161 pages)
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — issued 2025-09-16 — PDF (91 pages)
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — issued 2025-09-19 — PDF (92 pages)