Senate passes stopgap funding that earmarks over $800 billion for defense
The Senate approved a short-term funding measure that allocates more than $800 billion to defense while keeping most agencies at prior-year levels.
On Saturday, the Senate passed a short-term appropriations bill that will fund the federal government until Dec. 11, with defense receiving more than $800 billion, nearly half of the total annualized budget authority. While most agencies remain funded at prior-year levels, the legislation carves out billions for Navy shipbuilding cost increases, including sizable allocations for submarine and carrier programs. An additional provision supplies up to $2.85 billion for procurement related to national security systems.
The bill also identifies emergency-designated authority for the EPA’s Superfund program, sourced from a 2023 law. After Senate approval, the measure heads back to the House, which must act before Sept. 30 to avoid a shutdown on Oct. 1. If enacted, the stopgap would keep the government operating through mid-December.
Why it matters
The funding plan determines defense spending and prevents a government shutdown later this year.
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