Bill · H.R. 6500· House(119-HR-6500)
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027
- Introduced
- 12/9/2025
- Last activity
- 9/2/2026 — Became Public Law No: 119-103.
- Sponsored by
- Jason Smith
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
What this bill would do
This Act, titled the "Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027," provides funding and legal extensions for various government operations. Division A establishes continuing appropriations for several government departments and agencies for fiscal year 2027. Division B focuses on authorizing various legal and programmatic extensions across multiple sectors. Division C, the "Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2026," extends various surface transportation programs and trust funds. Division D provides several extensions for Department of Veterans Affairs programs and authorities. The Act generally aims to maintain current levels of operation through December 11, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 28
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+10
Extensively extends health, housing, and mental health benefits for veterans.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+8
Extends numerous benefits including housing, healthcare, and educational assistance for veterans.
Does this help veterans get medical care?+8
Extends multiple critical healthcare and mental health services specifically for veterans.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this reduce what is spent on the military?-3
Provides significant additional funding for shipbuilding and national security systems.
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?-2
Reduces the Medicare Improvement Fund by approximately 21 million dollars.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?-1
Slightly negative due to the reduction in the Medicare Improvement Fund.
What Congress actually voted on
4 recorded votes have been taken on this bill. 3 of them decided something; the rest moved it along.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to passPassed 340–54
The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not.
01/12/2026 · Roll call 14 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
- The Senate: the vote on whether to pass the billBill Passed 90–6
This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President.
08/08/2026 · Roll call 228 · recorded as “On Passage of the Bill H.R. 6500”
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to passPassed 370–48
The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not.
09/01/2026 · Roll call 286 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendments”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Continued Food Assistance: Provisions ensure that the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can maintain its rate of operation to keep participation levels steady (Sec. 117).
-
Support for Farm Loans: The Act allows for the continued operation of the Farm Service Agency to accommodate approved applications for direct and guaranteed farm ownership loans (Sec. 116).
-
Census Readiness: Funding is provided to maintain the buildup and testing of systems necessary for the 2030 Decennial Census Program (Sec. 120).
-
National Security and Infrastructure: The bill provides funding to maintain planned launch schedules for the Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite system (Sec. 121) and supports the legal activities of the Department of Justice (Sec. 122).
-
Disaster Relief and Wildfire Management: Funds are made available for wildfire suppression activities (Sec. 141) and for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to carry out response and recovery activities (Sec. 137).
-
Veterans Health and Housing: The bill extends funding for various veteran services, including the Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement Program (Sec. 4103), mental health support for family caregivers (Sec. 4105), and several programs aimed at assisting homeless veterans (Sec. 4301-4305).
-
Surface Transportation Stability: The act extends federal surface transportation programs, including the Highway Trust Fund and Mass Transit Account (Sec. 3101).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Department of Defense Production Limits: The Act prohibits the use of funds for the new production of items not funded in fiscal year 2026 or prior years, or for increasing production rates above those sustained in fiscal year 2026 (Sec. 102).
-
Restrictions on New Projects: Funds cannot be used to initiate, resume, or continue any project or activity that did not have available appropriations during fiscal year 2026 (Sec. 102, Sec. 104).
-
Limited Funding for High-Need Programs: For certain programs that typically have high initial rates of operation or complete distribution at the start of a fiscal year, the Act prevents high initial rates of operation or the awarding of grants that would impinge on final funding prerogakes (Sec. 109).
-
Personnel Expense Restrictions: Funds for civilian personnel compensation and benefits can only be used after the agency has taken all necessary actions to reduce or defer non-personnel-related administrative expenses (Sec. 112).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+10Good For Native Americans+7Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Business Owners+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Farmers+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Children+3Good For Urban Residents+3Good For Women+3Good For Retirees-1Good For Seniors-1
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+8Improves Cybersecurity Defense+5Improves International Trade+5Increases Foreign Aid+4Improves International Alliances+3Reduces Military Spending-3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+6Improves Public Transit+5Improves Roads And Bridges+5Improves Rural Development+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+6Reduces Homelessness+6Improves Poverty Reduction+4Improves Religious Freedom+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Veterans Healthcare+8Improves Mental Health Access+6Improves Healthcare Access+5Increases Medicare Funding-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5Reduces Government Spending+2
- Public Law(9/3/2026)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
The changes one chamber made to the other chamber’s version, as it passed them
| Updated | Bill | Title | Policy Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 months ago | In the nature of a substitute. | ||
| 2 months ago | To improve the bill. | ||
| 2 months ago | To improve the bill. | ||
| 2 months ago | To improve the bill. | ||
| 2 months ago | To improve the bill. | ||
| 2 months ago | To improve the bill. | ||
| 2 months ago | To improve the bill. | ||
| 2 months ago | To improve the bill. | ||
| 2 months ago | To strike section 2019. | ||
| 2 months ago | To amend the title. |
- 9/2/2026
- Presented to President.
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-103.
- 9/1/2026
- Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 370 - 48 (Roll no. 286). (consideration: CR H5387; text: CR H5377-5383)
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 370 - 48 (Roll no. 286). (consideration: CR H5387; text: CR H5377-5383)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on motion to agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 6500.
- Mr. Cole moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments. (consideration: CR H5377-5385)
- 8/10/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 8/8/2026
- 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.
- Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 90 - 6. Record Vote Number: 228.
- 8/7/2026
- Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4542, S4546-4547, S4553-4555)
- 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.
- 8/5/2026
- Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4448)
- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (CR S4448)
- Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S4448-4449)
- 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.
- Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4449)
- 8/4/2026
- Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4415)
- 8/3/2026
- Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 89 - 4. Record Vote Number: 218. (CR S4405)
- Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4414)
- 7/30/2026
- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S4360)
- Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4365)
- 2/10/2026
- Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 320.
- 2/9/2026
- Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- 1/13/2026
- Received in the Senate.
- 1/12/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 340 - 54 (Roll no. 14). (text: CR H637)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 340 - 54 (Roll no. 14). (text: CR H637)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H646)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6500.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H637-642)
- Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 12/30/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-416.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 362.
- 12/10/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 37 - 3.
- 12/9/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Adrian SmithRepublican · Nebraska