Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Senate passes stopgap spending bill to avert September government shutdown
The Senate is a group of people who help make laws for our country.
The government needs money to keep running, and if it runs out, it has to stop working, which is called a shutdown.
To stop that from happening, the Senate voted to pass a bill that keeps the government open.
Almost everyone voted yes, so it was a strong agreement.
The bill pays for the government until December 11th.
It also says the administration cannot take money meant for other things and use it for the Border Patrol.
There was a special rule about gummy treats made from hemp plants.
Some people thought the rule should start now, while others wanted to wait one more month.
The Senate chose to wait, and now the House of Representatives needs to vote on the bill too.
The US Senate passed a stopgap spending bill 90-6, with one senator voting present, to prevent a government shutdown at the end of September.
The bill would keep the federal government funded at current levels through Dec. 11 and blocks the Trump administration from transferring funds to the Border Patrol, a Democratic demand.
It includes a one-month delay of the ban on intoxicating hemp products, added at President Trump's request, which sparked a revolt among some Republicans.
The Senate rejected a Republican effort to remove the hemp provision, which would benefit the son-in-law of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
The bill now faces an uncertain path in the House, where lawmakers are eager to avoid a shutdown battle ahead of the November midterm elections.
- Who
- The US Senate, led in the effort by Appropriations Committee chair Senator Susan Collins and top Democrat Senator Patty Murray, passed the bill; it now heads to the House of Representatives.
- What
- A stopgap spending bill that funds the federal government at current levels through Dec. 11, blocks Border Patrol fund transfers, and delays the intoxicating hemp ban by one month.
- When
- Saturday, more than a month before the Sept. 30 shutdown deadline, and ahead of the November midterm elections.
- Where
- United States Congress, where the Senate passed the measure and the House will next consider it.
- Why
- To avert a government shutdown at the end of September and avoid another funding crisis after prior lapses during the fiscal year 2026 cycle.
Delay supporters (White House and bill backers)
Delay opponents (rebel Republicans)
One-month delay of the intoxicating hemp ban
Delay supporters (White House and bill backers)
The delay was added at President Trump's request to keep the temporary spending agreement together, and the Senate voted to keep it in the bill.
Delay opponents (rebel Republicans)
Republican opponents argued the ban should take effect as scheduled to address the rapidly expanding market for intoxicating hemp products, warning the items look like something a kid would want and that the industry seeks to entrench itself in government.
Border Patrol funding transfers
Delay supporters (White House and bill backers)
Democrats demanded the bill block the administration from transferring funds to the Border Patrol, calling it a central point of contention from previous shutdowns.
Delay opponents (rebel Republicans)
The Trump administration had sought to redirect funds to the Border Patrol, and the restriction was a key sticking point in funding negotiations.
- Senate vote
- 90-6, with one senator voting present
- Funding duration
- Current levels through Dec. 11
- Shutdown deadline
- Sept. 30
- Border Patrol funds
- Transfers blocked by the bill
- Hemp ban delay
- One month, added at President Trump's request
- Hemp ban original start
- November
- Prior funding lapses
- Two previous government shutdowns in the FY2026 cycle; Collins cited three funding lapses
- Upcoming elections
- November midterm elections