Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6500
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Economics and Public Finance
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-08-10: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Last Updated
- 2026-08-18T16:15:41Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the legislation This Act, titled the "Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027," provides short-term funding to continue most federal government operations for fiscal year 2027 at fiscal year 2026 levels. It also extends multiple expiring authorizations, trade preferences, and program authorities through December 11, 2026 (or later dates in specific cases) to prevent lapses in funding or legal authority.
Key provisions outlined
- Division A (Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027): Appropriates funds at FY 2026 rates for operations across most federal agencies listed in referenced 2026 appropriations acts, with exceptions for certain provisions. It includes rules limiting new starts or production increases for the Department of Defense, special apportionment authorities for programs such as farm loans, WIC, wildfire suppression, and Indian Health Service facilities, and targeted additional funding or rescissions for items like shipbuilding cost increases, middle-mile broadband, and housing assistance. The funding runs until December 11, 2026, enactment of full FY 2027 appropriations, or other specified triggers.
- Division B (Authorizing Extensions): Extends authorities including the U.S. Grain Standards Act, Defense Production Act, Toxic Substances Control Act fees, African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and related trade programs to 2028, customs user fees to March 31, 2032, various cybersecurity and patent office provisions, and disaster relief funding for the Northern Mariana Islands. It also adjusts the Medicare Improvement Fund and provides PAYGO exemptions.
- Division C (Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2026): Extends federal surface transportation programs, Highway Trust Fund expenditure authority, and related authorizations through December 11, 2026, with proportional funding based on prior-year levels.
- Division D (Department of Veterans Affairs Extenders): Extends multiple VA authorities for health care copayments, nursing home care, suicide prevention grants, homeless veterans programs, housing assistance, and other benefits through December 11, 2026, with some prorated additional funding.
Significant changes to existing law introduced
- Extends AGOA trade preferences and related apparel and fabric programs from 2026 to 2028.
- Extends customs user fees and merchandise processing fees from December 31, 2031, to March 31, 2032.
- Provides temporary disaster relief funding increase for the Northern Mariana Islands under the Social Security Act.
- Repeals a prior HUD provision and authorizes new competitive assistance to satisfy certain Flex Sub loans for small nonprofit properties meeting specific criteria.
- Rescinds unobligated balances in several accounts (e.g., middle-mile deployment, highway programs, homeless assistance, fair housing) and reappropriates equivalent amounts for the same purposes.
- Applies numerous existing laws by substituting new expiration dates (generally December 11, 2026) for prior sunset dates.
Potential impacts on government agencies, citizens, or international relations
- Enables federal agencies to continue operations, including defense procurement, disaster response, veterans' services, and transportation projects, avoiding a lapse in funding.
- Supports continued participation in programs such as WIC, wildfire suppression, Essential Air Service, and Indian Health Service facility staffing.
- Maintains trade benefits for certain African countries and Haiti, potentially affecting exporters and U.S. importers.
- Provides targeted relief and assistance to veterans, homeless individuals, and rural populations through extended VA and housing programs.
- Limits congressional members' cost-of-living adjustments during the covered period and includes specific protections for certain mandatory payments.
Main stakeholders affected by this legislation
- Federal departments and agencies (particularly Defense, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and Homeland Security).
- Veterans, their families, and caregivers receiving health, housing, and benefits services.
- Recipients of federal grants and assistance programs, including those for disaster relief, nutrition, and transportation infrastructure.
- States, localities, and tribal governments involved in surface transportation, housing, and health programs.
- International trading partners and businesses benefiting from extended AGOA and customs fee provisions.
Notable legal, constitutional, or political implications
- Functions as a continuing resolution to maintain government functions pending full appropriations, a standard mechanism under the appropriations process.
- Designates certain amounts as emergency requirements for budget enforcement purposes and exempts the measure from Statutory PAYGO scorecards.
- Includes provisions allowing limited flexibility in apportionment and obligation of funds while restricting new initiatives.
- Addresses specific program sunsets across multiple statutes without broader policy changes.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-08-10: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2026-08-08: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 90 - 6. Record Vote Number: 228. (Roll call 228)
- 2026-08-08: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 90 - 6. Record Vote Number: 228. (Roll call 228)
- 2026-08-07: Motion by Senator Thune to commit to Senate Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment SA 6740 fell when cloture on amendment SA 6732 was invoked in Senate.
- 2026-08-07: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4542, S4546-4547, S4553-4555)
- 2026-08-05: Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4449)
- 2026-08-05: Motion by Senator Thune to commit to Senate Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment SA 6740 made in Senate.
- 2026-08-05: Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S4448-4449)
- 2026-08-05: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (CR S4448)
- 2026-08-05: Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4448)
- 2026-08-04: Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4415)
- 2026-08-03: Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4414)
- 2026-08-03: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 89 - 4. Record Vote Number: 218. (CR S4405) (Roll call 218)
- 2026-07-30: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4365)
- 2026-07-30: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S4360)
Bill Versions
- Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 — issued 2026-08-08 — PDF (58 pages)
- AGOA Extension Act — issued 2026-01-12 — PDF (8 pages)
- AGOA Extension Act — issued 2025-12-09 — PDF (5 pages)
- AGOA Extension Act — issued 2026-02-10 — PDF (8 pages)
- AGOA Extension Act — issued 2025-12-30 — PDF (8 pages)