Congress started the continuing resolution (CR) process earlier this year than at any point in the modern budget era. The House passed the FY2027 Continuing Appropriations Act (HR 9770) on July 21. The Senate passed its CR - the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act (HR 6500) on August 8. Each chamber acted in a month in which it had never taken up a CR before.
September Is the Norm
Congress follows a familiar pattern when it funds the government. The House and Senate spend the spring and summer working through the twelve regular appropriations bills. But Congress falls short before funding expires at the end of the fiscal year on September 30. It then passes a CR to keep the government open while lawmakers finish work on the regular appropriations bills.
The timing is remarkably consistent. Since FY1977 - the first fiscal year to begin on October 1 - the House and Senate have overwhelmingly waited until September or later to take initial action on a CR.
