[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 138 (Tuesday, September 1, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H5377-H5385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AGOA EXTENSION ACT
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the
Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 6500) to extend duty-free treatment
provided with respect to imports from certain countries in Africa under
the African Growth and Opportunity Act, to extend customs user fees,
and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the Senate amendments is as follows:
Senate amendments:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Continuing Appropriations
and Extensions Act, 2027''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short Title.
Sec. 2. Table of Contents.
Sec. 3. References.
DIVISION A--CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2027
DIVISION B--AUTHORIZING EXTENSIONS
DIVISION C--SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2026
DIVISION D--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EXTENDERS
SEC. 3. REFERENCES.
Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to
``this Act'' contained in any division of this Act shall be
treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.
DIVISION A--CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2027
The following sums are hereby appropriated, out of any
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and out of
applicable corporate or other revenues, receipts, and funds,
for the several departments, agencies, corporations, and
other organizational units of Government for fiscal year
2027, and for other purposes, namely:
Sec. 101. Such amounts as may be necessary, at a rate for
operations as provided in the applicable appropriations Acts
for fiscal year 2026 and under the authority and conditions
provided in such Acts, for continuing projects or activities
(including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees)
that are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Act,
that were conducted in fiscal year 2026, and for which
appropriations, funds, or other authority were made available
in the following appropriations Acts:
(1) The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2026
(division B of Public Law 119-37).
(2) The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2026 (division A of Public Law 119-74),
except sections 521(c)(2) and 544.
(3) The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026
(division A of Public Law 119-75).
(4) The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2026 (division B of Public Law 119-74).
(5) The Financial Services and General Government
Appropriations Act, 2026 (division E of Public Law 119-75),
except the last proviso under the heading ``Election
Assistance Commission--Election Security Grants'', and
including section 143 of division A of Public Law 119-37.
(6) The Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-86), except division
B, and including sections 5013 through 5016 of division I of
Public Law 119-75.
(7) The Department of the Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (division C of
Public Law 119-74), except section 444.
(8) The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
(division B of Public Law 119-75), except section 528.
(9) The Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026
(division C of Public Law 119-37).
(10) The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (division D of
Public Law 119-37).
(11) The National Security, Department of State, and
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 (division F of
Public Law 119-75).
(12) The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (division D of
Public Law 119-75), as amended by sections 153(b) and 156(a)
of this Act.
Sec. 102. (a) No appropriation or funds made available or
authority granted pursuant to section 101 for the Department
of Defense shall be used for:
(1) the new production of items not funded for production
in fiscal year 2026 or prior years;
(2) the increase in production rates above those sustained
with fiscal year 2026 funds; or
(3) the initiation, resumption, or continuation of any
project, activity, operation, or organization (defined as any
project, subproject, activity, budget activity, program
element, and subprogram within a program element, and for any
investment items defined as a P-1 line item in a budget
activity within an appropriation account and an R-1 line item
that includes a program element and subprogram element within
an appropriation account) for which appropriations, funds, or
other authority were not available during fiscal year 2026.
(b) No appropriation or funds made available or authority
granted pursuant to section 101 for the Department of Defense
shall be used to initiate multi-year procurements utilizing
advance procurement funding for economic order quantity
procurement unless specifically appropriated later.
Sec. 103. Appropriations made by section 101 shall be
available to the extent and in the manner that would be
provided by the pertinent appropriations Act.
Sec. 104. Except as otherwise provided in section 102, no
appropriation or funds made available or authority granted
pursuant to section 101 shall be used to initiate or resume
any project or activity for which appropriations, funds, or
other authority were not available during fiscal year 2026.
Sec. 105. Appropriations made and authority granted
pursuant to this Act shall cover all obligations or
expenditures incurred for any project or activity during the
period for which funds or authority for such project or
activity are available under this Act.
Sec. 106. Unless otherwise provided for in this Act or in
the applicable appropriations Act for fiscal year 2027,
appropriations and funds made available and authority granted
pursuant to this Act shall be available until whichever of
the following first occurs:
(1) The enactment into law of an appropriation for any
project or activity provided for in this Act.
(2) The enactment into law of the applicable appropriations
Act for fiscal year 2027 without any provision for such
project or activity.
(3) December 11, 2026.
Sec. 107. Expenditures made pursuant to this Act shall be
charged to the applicable appropriation, fund, or
authorization whenever a bill in which such applicable
appropriation, fund, or authorization is contained is enacted
into law.
Sec. 108. Appropriations made and funds made available by
or authority granted pursuant to this Act may be used without
regard to the time limitations for submission and approval of
apportionments set forth in section 1513 of title 31, United
States Code, but nothing in this Act may be construed to
waive any other provision of law governing the apportionment
of funds.
Sec. 109. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
except section 106, for those programs that would otherwise
have high initial rates of operation or complete distribution
of appropriations at the beginning of fiscal year 2027
because of distributions of funding to States, foreign
countries, grantees, or others, such high initial rates of
operation or complete distribution shall not be made, and no
grants shall be awarded for such programs funded by this Act
that would impinge on final funding prerogatives.
Sec. 110. This Act shall be implemented so that only the
most limited funding action of that permitted in the Act
shall be taken in order to provide for continuation of
projects and activities.
Sec. 111. (a) For entitlements and other mandatory payments
whose budget authority was provided in appropriations Acts
for fiscal year 2026, and for activities under the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008, activities shall be continued
[[Page H5378]]
at the rate to maintain program levels under current law,
under the authority and conditions provided in the applicable
appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026, to be continued
through the date specified in section 106(3).
(b) Notwithstanding section 106, obligations for mandatory
payments due on or about the first day of any month that
begins after October 2026 but not later than 30 days after
the date specified in section 106(3) may continue to be made,
and funds shall be available for such payments.
Sec. 112. Amounts made available under section 101 for
civilian personnel compensation and benefits in each
department and agency may be apportioned up to the rate for
operations necessary to avoid furloughs within such
department or agency, consistent with the applicable
appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026, except that such
authority provided under this section shall not be used until
after the department or agency has taken all necessary
actions to reduce or defer non-personnel-related
administrative expenses.
Sec. 113. Funds appropriated by this Act may be obligated
and expended notwithstanding section 10 of Public Law 91-672
(22 U.S.C. 2412), section 15 of the State Department Basic
Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2680), section 313 of the
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and
1995 (22 U.S.C. 6212), and section 504(a)(1) of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3094(a)(1)).
Sec. 114. (a)(1) For each amount incorporated by reference
in this Act that was previously designated by the Congress as
an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i)
of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985, each provision of law designating each such amount as
an emergency requirement pursuant to such section shall not
apply.
(2) Each amount incorporated by reference in this Act that
was designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement
pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, or pursuant to
section 4001(a)(1) of S. Con. Res. 14 (117th Congress), the
concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2022, and
to legislation establishing fiscal year 2026 budget
enforcement in the House of Representatives, and each amount
provided, repurposed, or rescinded by sections 125 and 153(a)
of this Act, is designated by the Congress as an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 4001(a)(1) of S. Con. Res. 14
(117th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for
fiscal year 2022, and to legislation establishing fiscal year
2026 or 2027 budget enforcement in the House of
Representatives, as applicable.
(b) Each amount incorporated by reference in this Act that
was previously designated by the Congress as being for
disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is
designated by the Congress as being for disaster relief
pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget.
(c) Each amount incorporated by reference in this Act that
was previously designated in division B of Public Law 117-
159, division J of Public Law 117-58, or in section 443(b) of
division G of Public Law 117-328 by the Congress as an
emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on
the budget shall continue to be treated as an amount
specified in section 103(b) of division A of Public Law 118-
5.
Sec. 115. (a) Rescissions or cancellations of discretionary
budget authority that continue pursuant to section 101 in
Treasury Appropriations Fund Symbols (TAFS)--
(1) to which other appropriations are not provided by this
Act, but for which there is a current applicable TAFS that
does receive an appropriation in this Act; or
(2) which are no-year TAFS and receive other appropriations
in this Act, may be continued instead by reducing the rate
for operations otherwise provided by section 101 for such
current applicable TAFS, as long as doing so does not impinge
on the final funding prerogatives of the Congress.
(b) Rescissions or cancellations described in subsection
(a) shall continue in an amount equal to the lesser of--
(1) the amount specified for rescission or cancellation in
the applicable appropriations Act referenced in section 101
of this Act; or
(2) the amount of balances available, as of October 1,
2026, from the funds specified for rescission or cancellation
in the applicable appropriations Act referenced in section
101 of this Act.
(c) No later than November 20, 2026, the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget shall provide to the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and the Senate a comprehensive list of the rescissions or
cancellations that will continue pursuant to section 101:
Provided, That the information in such comprehensive list
shall be periodically updated to reflect any subsequent
changes in the amount of balances available, as of October 1,
2026, from the funds specified for rescission or cancellation
in the applicable appropriations Act referenced in section
101, and such updates shall be transmitted to the Committees
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the
Senate upon request.
Sec. 116. Amounts made available by section 101 for ``Farm
Service Agency--Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program
Account'' may be apportioned up to the rate for operations
necessary to accommodate approved applications for direct and
guaranteed farm ownership loans, as authorized by 7 U.S.C.
1922 et seq.
Sec. 117. Amounts made available by section 101 to the
Department of Agriculture for ``Domestic Food Programs--Food
and Nutrition Service--Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)'' may be apportioned
at the rate for operations necessary to maintain
participation.
Sec. 118. Amounts made available by section 101 to the
Department of Agriculture for ``Domestic Food Programs--Food
and Nutrition Service--Commodity Assistance Program'' may be
apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary to
maintain current program caseload in the Commodity
Supplemental Food Program.
Sec. 119. Section 260 of the Agricultural Marketing Act of
1946 (7 U.S.C. 1636i) and section 942 of the Livestock
Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999 (7 U.S.C. 1635 note; Public
Law 106-78) shall be applied by substituting the date
specified in section 106(3) of this Act for ``September 30,
2026''.
Sec. 120. Amounts made available by section 101 for
``Department of Commerce--Bureau of the Census--Periodic
Censuses and Programs'' may be apportioned up to the rate for
operations necessary to maintain the buildup and testing of
all integrated systems and operations necessary for the 2030
Decennial Census Program.
Sec. 121. Amounts made available by section 101 for
``Department of Commerce--National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration--Procurement, Acquisition and Construction''
shall be apportioned at the rate for operations necessary to
maintain the planned launch schedules for the Geostationary
Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite system.
Sec. 122. Amounts made available by section 101 for
``Department of Justice--Legal Activities--Salaries and
Expenses, General Legal Activities'' may be apportioned up to
the rate for operations necessary to support the legal
activities of the Department of Justice.
Sec. 123. Amounts made available by section 101 for
``Department of Justice--United States Marshals Service--
Salaries and Expenses'' may be apportioned up to the rate for
operations necessary to maintain Federal judicial security
programs and protective operations.
Sec. 124. Amounts made available by section 101 for
``Department of Justice--Federal Bureau of Investigation--
Salaries and Expenses'' may be apportioned up to the rate for
operations necessary to prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games,
and for risk reduction and modification of National Security
Systems.
Sec. 125. (a) The remaining unobligated balances, as of
September 30, 2026, from amounts made available for
``Department of Commerce--National Telecommunications and
Information Administration--Middle Mile Deployment'' in
division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
(Public Law 117-58) are hereby rescinded, and in addition to
amounts otherwise provided by section 101, an amount of
additional new budget authority equivalent to the amount
rescinded pursuant to this subsection is hereby appropriated
on September 30, 2026, for an additional amount for fiscal
year 2026, to remain available until September 30, 2027, and
shall be available for the same purposes for which such funds
were originally appropriated, in addition to other funds as
may be available for such purposes.
(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this section shall become
effective immediately upon enactment of this Act.
(2) If this Act is enacted after September 30, 2026, this
section shall be applied as if it were in effect on September
30, 2026.
Sec. 126. Notwithstanding sections 102 and 104, amounts
made available by section 101 to the Department of Defense
for ``Procurement--Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy'' may be
apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary to fund
prior year shipbuilding cost increases for the following
programs funded in prior years under such heading:
(1) 2013/2027 Carrier Replacement Program, in an amount not
to exceed $324,000,000;
(2) 2017/2027 DDG 51 Program, in an amount not to exceed
$24,503,000;
(3) 2017/2027 LHA Replacement Program, in an amount not to
exceed $164,300,000;
(4) 2018/2027 Virginia Class Submarine Program, in an
amount not to exceed $44,244,000;
(5) 2018/2027 DDG 51 Program, in an amount not to exceed
$69,919,000;
(6) 2018/2027 LPD (Flight II) Amphibious Transport Dock
Program, in an amount not to exceed $58,800,000;
(7) 2019/2027 Virginia Class Submarine Program, in an
amount not to exceed $561,131,000;
(8) 2019/2027 DDG 51 Program, in an amount not to exceed
$83,802,000;
(9) 2019/2027 Littoral Combat Ship Program, in an amount
not to exceed $9,450,000;
(10) 2020/2027 CVN Refueling Overhauls Program, in an
amount not to exceed $379,200,000;
(11) 2020/2027 T-AO Fleet Oiler Program, in an amount not
to exceed $16,020,000;
(12) 2021/2027 Columbia Class Submarine Program, in an
amount not to exceed $566,542,000;
(13) 2021/2027 LPD (Flight II) Amphibious Transport Dock
Program, in an amount not to exceed $44,689,000;
(14) 2022/2027 Expeditionary Sea Base Program, in an amount
not to exceed $12,100,000;
(15) 2022/2027 Expeditionary Fast Transport Program, in an
amount not to exceed $8,423,000;
(16) 2022/2027 T-AO Fleet Oiler Program, in an amount not
to exceed $127,000,000;
(17) 2023/2027 T-AO Fleet Oiler Program, in an amount not
to exceed $23,100,000;
(18) 2024/2027 Columbia Class Submarine Program, in an
amount not to exceed $19,386,000;
(19) 2024/2027 T-AO Fleet Oiler Program, in an amount not
to exceed $1,181,000; and
(20) 2026/2027 T-AO Fleet Oiler Program, in an amount not
to exceed $74,200,000.
Sec. 127. Notwithstanding sections 102 and 104, amounts
made available by section 101 to the Department of Defense
for ``Procurement--Procurement, Defense-Wide'' may be
apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary for
National Security Systems in an amount not to exceed
$2,853,000,000.
Sec. 128. Notwithstanding section 101, the first proviso
in each of sections 8090 and 8094 of
[[Page H5379]]
division A of Public Law 119-75 shall be applied by
substituting ``advances'' for ``reimbursements''.
Sec. 129. During the period covered by this Act, section
103(f)(4)(A) of Public Law 108-361 (the Calfed Bay-Delta
Authorization Act) shall be applied by substituting
``$40,000,000'' for ``$32,600,000''.
Sec. 130. (a) Notwithstanding section 104, amounts made
available by section 101 for ``Department of Energy--Atomic
Energy Defense Activities--National Nuclear Security
Administration--Weapons Activities'' shall be available and
may be apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary--
(1) to prevent project demobilization and shutdown
activities for ``17-D-640 U1a Complex Enhancements Project,
NNSS'' and ``24-D-513 ZEUS Test Bed Facilities Improvement
(ZTBFI), NNSS'';
(2) to prevent termination of the design-build contract for
``23-D-517 Electrical Power Capacity Upgrade, LANL''; and
(3) to maintain current level of activities and ongoing
studies for ``Studies and Assessments''.
(b) Section 301(d) of division B of Public Law 119-74, as
continued in effect by section 101, shall not apply to
amounts used for the purposes specified in subsection (a).
(c) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget and
the Secretary of Energy shall notify the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate
not later than 3 days after each use of the authority
provided in subsection (a).
Sec. 131. (a) Notwithstanding section 104, amounts made
available by section 101 for ``Department of Energy--Atomic
Energy Defense Activities--Environmental and Other Defense
Activities--Defense Environmental Cleanup'' shall be
available and may be apportioned up to the rate for
operations necessary to carry out long-lead procurements
within the CD-3A authorization for ``21-D-401 Hoisting
Capability Project'' at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
(b) Section 301(d) of division B of Public Law 119-74, as
continued in effect by section 101, shall not apply to
amounts used for the purpose specified in subsection (a).
(c) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget and
the Secretary of Energy shall notify the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate
not later than 3 days after each use of the authority
provided in subsection (a).
Sec. 132. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
except section 106, the District of Columbia may expend local
funds made available under the heading ``District of
Columbia--District of Columbia Funds'' for such programs and
activities under the District of Columbia Appropriations Act,
2026 (title IV of division E of Public Law 119-75) at the
rate set forth in the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act of
2026 (D.C. Act 26-379) as modified, as of the date of
enactment of this Act.
Sec. 133. Amounts made available by section 101 for
``Small Business Administration--Business Loans Program
Account'' may be apportioned up to the rate for operations
necessary to accommodate increased demand for commitments for
general business loans authorized under paragraphs (1)
through (35) of section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 636(a)), for guarantees of trust certificates
authorized by section 5(g) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 634(g)), for commitments to guarantee loans under
section 503 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15
U.S.C. 697), and for commitments to guarantee loans for
debentures under section 303(b) of the Small Business
Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 683(b)).
Sec. 134. Section 1(b) of Public Law 117-25 (135 Stat.
297; 136 Stat. 2133; 136 Stat. 5984; 139 Stat. 46, 140 Stat.
629) shall be applied in each of paragraphs (3) and (4) by
substituting the date specified in section 106(3) of this Act
for ``September 30, 2026''.
Sec. 135. Notwithstanding section 104, amounts made
available by section 101 to ``Department of the Treasury--
Departmental Offices--Salaries and Expenses'' shall be
available for operations necessary to host the G7 Financial
Summit and other G7 related activities as proposed in the
fiscal year 2027 President's Budget, submitted pursuant to
section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, and
accompanying justification materials.
Sec. 136. Notwithstanding section 101, section 747 of
division E of Public Law 119-75 shall be applied by--
(1) substituting ``2026'' for ``2025'' each place it
appears;
(2) substituting ``2027'' for ``2026'' each place it
appears;
(3) substituting ``2028'' for ``2027''; and
(4) substituting ``section 747 of division E of Public Law
119-75'' for ``section 747 of division B of Public Law 118-
47, as continued in effect and modified by section 1605 of
title VI of division A of Public Law 119-4 (as continued in
effect and modified by division A of Public Law 119-37)''
each place it appears.
Sec. 137. Amounts made available by section 101 to the
Department of Homeland Security under the heading ``Federal
Emergency Management Agency--Disaster Relief Fund'' may be
apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary to carry
out response and recovery activities under the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
Sec. 138. During the period covered by this Act, section
225(e) of division A of Public Law 116-6 (49 U.S.C. 44901
note) shall be applied by substituting ``fiscal years 2019
through 2027'' for ``fiscal years 2019 through 2026''.
Sec. 139. (a) Sections 1309(a) and 1319 of the National
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4016(a) and 4026)
shall be applied by substituting the date specified in
section 106(3) of this Act for ``September 30, 2026''.
(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this section shall become
effective immediately upon enactment of this Act.
(2) If this Act is enacted after September 30, 2026, this
section shall be applied as if it were in effect on September
30, 2026.
Sec. 140. Notwithstanding section 104, amounts made
available by section 101 to the Department of the Interior
for ``Departmental Offices--Office of the Secretary--
Departmental Operations'' shall be available for the
assumption of functions and activities performed by the
Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (ONHIR) as
authorized by Public Law 93-531 (commonly known as the
``Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Act of 1974''), to ensure the
full and complete discharge of the functions of ONHIR.
Sec. 141. Amounts made available by section 101 for
``Department of the Interior--Department-Wide Programs--
Wildland Fire Management'', ``Department of the Interior--
Department-Wide Programs--Wildfire Suppression Operations
Reserve Fund'', ``Department of Agriculture--Forest Service--
Wildland Fire Management'', and ``Department of Agriculture--
Forest Service--Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve
Fund'' may be apportioned up to the rate for operations
necessary for wildfire suppression activities.
Sec. 142. During the period covered by this Act, section
1701 of division B of Public Law 117-43 (5 U.S.C. 5547 note)
shall be applied by substituting ``calendar years 2021
through 2027'' for ``2021 or 2022 or 2023 or 2024'' each
place it appears.
Sec. 143. (a) In addition to amounts otherwise provided by
section 101, amounts are provided for ``Department of Health
and Human Services--Indian Health Service--Indian Health
Services'' at a rate for operations of $75,774,000, for an
additional amount for costs of staffing and operating
facilities that were opened, renovated, or expanded in fiscal
years 2022, 2026, and 2027, and such amounts may be
apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary to staff
and operate such facilities.
(b) In addition to amounts otherwise provided by section
101, amounts are provided for ``Department of Health and
Human Services--Indian Health Service--Indian Health
Facilities'' at a rate for operations of $8,296,000, for an
additional amount for costs of staffing and operating
facilities that were opened, renovated, or expanded in fiscal
years 2022, 2026, and 2027, and such amounts may be
apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary to staff
and operate such facilities.
Sec. 144. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no
adjustment shall be made under section 601(a) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4501)
(relating to cost of living adjustments for Members of
Congress) during the period covered by this Act.
Sec. 145. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
there is appropriated--
(1) for payment to Alfredia Scott, widow of David A. Scott,
late a Representative from the State of Georgia, $174,000;
and
(2) for payment to the heir at law of Lindsey O. Graham,
late a Senator from the State of South Carolina, $174,000.
Sec. 146. Notwithstanding sections 102 and 104, amounts
made available by section 101 for ``Department of Defense--
Military Construction, Army'' and ``Department of Defense--
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps'' and
unobligated balances from prior year appropriations under
these headings may be used by the Secretary of the Army and
Secretary of the Navy to carry out military construction not
otherwise authorized by law for Military Unaccompanied
Housing facilities at the Medical Education Training Complex
at Joint Base San Antonio: Provided, That no amounts may be
made available pursuant to the matter preceding this proviso
from amounts that were specified in the table referenced in
the second proviso under each such heading in division J of
Public Law 117-328, division A of Public Law 118-42, or
division D of Public Law 119-37, or from amounts that were
designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement
pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget or the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Sec. 147. Amounts made available by section 101 for
``Department of Transportation--Office of the Secretary--
Payments to Air Carriers'' may be apportioned up to the rate
for operations necessary to maintain Essential Air Service
program operations.
Sec. 148. Notwithstanding section 101, the following
language in title I of division D of Public Law 119-75 shall
be applied as if it were struck:
(1) the fourth and fifth provisos in the undesignated
paragraph under the second instance of the heading ``Federal
Aviation Administration--Grants-in-Aid for Airports'';
(2) ``of which $927,212,591'' and ``, and of which--'' in
the matter preceding the first proviso and all that follows
through the end of the first paragraph (5) under the heading
``Federal Highway Administration--Highway Infrastructure
Programs'';
(3) the second and third provisos under the heading
``Federal Railroad Administration--Federal-State Partnership
for Intercity Passenger Rail'';
(4) the second and third provisos in the undesignated
paragraph under the heading ``Federal Railroad
Administration--Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety
Improvements'';
(5) ``, of which--'' in the second proviso in the
undesignated paragraph and all that follows through the end
of that proviso under the heading ``Federal Transit
Administration--Transit Infrastructure Grants'', and the
subsequent proviso; and
(6) ``, and of which $129,000,000'' in the matter preceding
the first proviso and all that follows through such matter
under the first instance of the heading ``National Highway
Traffic Safety
[[Page H5380]]
Administration--Operations and Research'', and the subsequent
proviso.
Sec. 149. (a) Notwithstanding section 106, amounts made
available in division L of the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2018 (Public Law 115-141) under the heading ``Department
of Transportation--Federal Transit Administration--Capital
Investment Grants'' that were available for obligation
through fiscal year 2021 shall remain available through
fiscal year 2031 for the liquidation of valid obligations
incurred in fiscal years 2018 through 2021.
(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this section shall become
effective immediately upon enactment of this Act.
(2) If this Act is enacted after September 30, 2026, this
section shall be applied as if it were in effect on September
30, 2026.
Sec. 150. (a) The remaining unobligated balances, as of
September 30, 2026, from amounts made available in paragraph
(1) of the fourth proviso under the heading ``Department of
Transportation--Federal Highway Administration--Highway
Infrastructure Programs'' in division L of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328) are hereby
rescinded, and in addition to amounts otherwise made
available by section 101, an amount of additional new budget
authority equivalent to the amount rescinded pursuant to this
subsection is hereby appropriated on September 30, 2026, for
an additional amount for fiscal year 2026, to remain
available until September 30, 2027, and shall be available
for the same purposes for which such funds were originally
appropriated.
(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this section shall become
effective immediately upon enactment of this Act.
(2) If this Act is enacted after September 30, 2026, this
section shall be applied as if it were in effect on September
30, 2026.
Sec. 151. (a) The remaining unobligated balances, as of
September 30, 2026, from amounts made available for
``Department of Transportation--Federal Aviation
Administration--Research, Engineering, and Development'' in
division F of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
(Public Law 118-42) are hereby rescinded, and in addition to
amounts otherwise provided by section 101, an amount of
additional new budget authority equivalent to the amount
rescinded pursuant to this subsection is hereby appropriated
on September 30, 2026, for an additional amount for fiscal
year 2026, to remain available until September 30, 2027, and
shall be available for the same purposes for which such funds
were originally appropriated, in addition to other funds as
may be available for such purposes.
(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this section shall become
effective immediately upon enactment of this Act.
(2) If this Act is enacted after September 30, 2026, this
section shall be applied as if it were in effect on September
30, 2026.
Sec. 152. (a) Section 239(b) of division F of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42) is
amended by striking ``fiscal year 2026'' and inserting
``fiscal year 2027''.
(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments made by
this section shall become effective immediately upon
enactment of this Act.
(2) If this Act is enacted after September 30, 2026, the
amendments made by this section shall be applied as if they
were in effect on September 30, 2026.
Sec. 153. (a) Notwithstanding section 106, during fiscal
year 2027, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may
use the unobligated balances of amounts made available in
prior fiscal years under the heading ``Department of Housing
and Urban Development--Public and Indian Housing--Tenant-
Based Rental Assistance'', except amounts made available in
paragraphs (4) and (5) under such heading in division D of
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-
75), to support additional allocations under subparagraph (D)
of paragraph (1) of such heading only as needed to prevent
the termination of rental assistance for families as the
result of insufficient funding in the calendar year 2026
funding cycle.
(b) Paragraph (2) under the heading ``Department of Housing
and Urban Development--Public and Indian Housing--Tenant-
Based Rental Assistance'' in division D of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-75) is amended by--
(1) inserting ``emergency housing vouchers (section 3202(b)
of Public Law 117-2 (42 U.S.C. 1437f)) for all dwelling units
under lease as of September 30, 2026 (which shall not be
replacement vouchers and shall be provided prior to the end
of calendar year 2026),'' after ``mandatory and voluntary
conversions,''; and
(2) striking the last proviso.
Sec. 154. (a) The remaining unobligated balances, as of
September 30, 2026, from amounts made available for
``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community
Planning and Development--Homeless Assistance Grants'' in
division F of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
(Public Law 118-42) are hereby rescinded, and in addition to
amounts otherwise provided by section 101, an amount of
additional new budget authority equivalent to the amount
rescinded pursuant to this subsection is hereby appropriated
on September 30, 2026, for an additional amount for fiscal
year 2026, to remain available until September 30, 2027, and
shall be available for the same purposes for which such funds
were originally appropriated, in addition to other funds as
may be available for such purposes.
(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this section shall become
effective immediately upon enactment of this Act.
(2) If this Act is enacted after September 30, 2026, this
section shall be applied as if it were in effect on September
30, 2026.
Sec. 155. (a) The remaining unobligated balances, as of
September 30, 2026, from amounts made available for
``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Fair Housing
and Equal Opportunity--Fair Housing Activities'' by the Full-
Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025 (division A of
Public Law 119-4) are hereby rescinded, and in addition to
amounts otherwise made available by section 101, an amount of
additional new budget authority equivalent to the amount
rescinded pursuant to this subsection is hereby appropriated
on September 30, 2026, for an additional amount for fiscal
year 2026, to remain available until September 30, 2027, and
shall be available for the same purposes for which such funds
were originally appropriated, in addition to other funds as
may be available for such purposes.
(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this section shall become
effective immediately upon enactment of this Act.
(2) If this Act is enacted after September 30, 2026, this
section shall be applied as if it were in effect on September
30, 2026.
Sec. 156. (a) Section 239 of division D of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-75) is hereby
repealed and the unobligated balance of amounts made
available under such section 239(d) is hereby rescinded.
(b) Notwithstanding section 106, for fiscal years 2027
through 2029, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
(``Secretary'') may, through competition, including a first-
come, first served competition, satisfy the full indebtedness
relating to any remaining principal and interest under
financial assistance made available under section 201 of the
Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978 (12
U.S.C. 1715z-1a) (``Flex Sub loan'').
(1) The Secretary may only satisfy a loan under this
subsection for properties with--
(A) at least one, but fewer than 100 assisted units;
(B) a Flex Sub loan with an unpaid principal balance of
$1,500,000 or more;
(C) not for profit ownership;
(D) a score of 90 or higher on the most recent REAC
inspection from fiscal year 2025 or 2026; and
(E) a most recent management and occupancy review score of
``above average'' or ``superior'' from fiscal year 2025 or
2026.
(2) The Secretary may set such terms and conditions as the
Secretary determines are appropriate to carry out this
subsection, including:
(A) Different maturity dates or interest rate terms;
(B) Extension of affordability use agreements; and
(C) Other measures to ensure the long-term stability of
operations at the property.
(3) There is hereby appropriated $6,258,174.91, to remain
available until September 30, 2029, to carry out the purposes
of this subsection, in addition to amounts otherwise
available for such purposes.
(c) Of the unobligated balances in Treasury Appropriations
Fund Symbol 86 X 0303 and made available prior to fiscal year
2020, $4,258,174.91 are hereby rescinded.
Sec. 157. (a) Notwithstanding section 106, through December
11, 2026, a rule to revise the Uniform Administrative
Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for
Federal Awards (commonly known as the ``Uniform Guidance''),
arising out of the notice of proposed rulemaking titled
``Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance'', which was
published in the Federal Register on May 29, 2026, or a
substantially similar rule, shall not be issued or finalized.
(b) Notwithstanding section 106, if a rule described in
subsection (a) is issued or finalized prior to the enactment
of this Act, such rule shall not have force or take effect
through December 11, 2026.
(c) This section shall become effective immediately upon
enactment of this Act.
This division may be cited as the ``Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2027''.
DIVISION B--AUTHORIZING EXTENSIONS
SEC. 2001. UNITED STATES GRAIN STANDARDS ACT EXTENSION.
(a) In General.--Sections 7(j)(5), 7A(l)(4), and 21(e) of
the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79(j)(5),
79a(l)(4), 87j(e)) shall be applied by substituting
``December 11, 2026'' for ``September 30, 2025'' each place
it appears.
(b) Certain Limitations and Authorizations.--Sections 7D
and 19(a) of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C.
79d, 87h(a)) shall be applied by substituting ``2027'' for
``2025'' each place it appears.
SEC. 2002. FOREST SERVICE PARTICIPATION IN ACES PROGRAM.
Section 8302(b) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C.
3851a(b)) shall be applied by substituting ``December 11,
2026'' for ``October 1, 2023''.
SEC. 2003. FOOD FOR PEACE ACT.
Section 408 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736b)
shall be applied by substituting ``December 11, 2026'' for
``December 31, 2023''.
SEC. 2004. EXTENSION OF DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT OF 1950.
Section 717(a) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50
U.S.C. 4564(a)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2026''
and inserting ``December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 2005. TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT FEE AUTHORITY.
Section 26(b) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15
U.S.C. 2625(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (6) and
inserting the following:
``(6) Termination.--The authority provided by this
subsection shall terminate on December 11, 2026, unless
otherwise reauthorized or modified by Congress.''.
SEC. 2006. DISASTER RELIEF FOR THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS.
Section 1108(g) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1308(g)) is amended--
[[Page H5381]]
(1) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``paragraphs (3), (5), and (14)'' and
inserting ``the succeeding provisions of this subsection'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(15) Temporary disaster relief for the northern mariana
islands.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall increase the total
amount otherwise determined under this subsection for the
Northern Mariana Islands for the period beginning on October
1, 2025, and ending on September 30, 2026, by $21,400,000.
The additional amount made available under the preceding
sentence shall remain available until expended.
``(B) Special rules.--The increase described in
subparagraph (A)--
``(i) shall apply to the total amount certified by the
Secretary under title XIX for payment to the Northern Mariana
Islands for services attributable to fiscal year 2026,
notwithstanding that payments for any such services are made
by the Northern Mariana Islands in fiscal year 2027; and
``(ii) shall be in addition to the amount calculated under
paragraph (2) for the Northern Mariana Islands for fiscal
year 2026 and shall not be taken into account in calculating
an amount under paragraph (2) for the Northern Mariana
Islands for fiscal year 2027 or a subsequent fiscal year.''.
SEC. 2007. MEDICARE IMPROVEMENT FUND.
Section 1898(b)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395iii(b)(1)) is amended by striking ``$2,062,000,000'' and
inserting ``$2,041,000,000''.
SEC. 2008. EXTENSION OF AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT.
(a) Trade Act of 1974.--Section 506B of the Trade Act of
1974 (19 U.S.C. 2466b) is amended by striking ``2026'' and
inserting ``2028''.
(b) African Growth and Opportunity Act.--
(1) In general.--Section 112(g) of the African Growth and
Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3721(g)) is amended by striking
``2026'' and inserting ``2028''.
(2) Regional apparel article program.--Section 112(b)(3)(A)
of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C.
3721(b)(3)(A)) is amended--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``each of the 23 succeeding
1-year periods'' and inserting ``each succeeding 1-year
period until December 31, 2028''; and
(B) in clause (ii)(II), by striking ``2026'' and inserting
``2028''.
(3) Third-country fabric program.--Section 112(c)(1) of the
African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3721(c)(1)) is
amended--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``2026'' and
inserting ``2028'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``2026'' and inserting
``2028''; and
(C) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking ``2026'' and
inserting ``2028''.
SEC. 2009. EXTENSION OF HAITI ECONOMIC LIFT PROGRAM.
Section 213A(h) of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery
Act (19 U.S.C. 2703a(h)) is amended by striking ``2026'' and
inserting ``2028''.
SEC. 2010. EXTENSION OF CUSTOMS USER FEES.
(a) In General.--Section 13031(j)(3) of the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C.
58c(j)(3)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``December 31, 2031''
and inserting ``March 31, 2032''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``December 31,
2031'' and inserting ``March 31, 2032''.
(b) Rate for Merchandise Processing Fees.--Section 503 of
the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation
Act (Public Law 112-41;19 U.S.C. 3805 note) is amended by
striking ``December 31, 2031'' and inserting ``March 31,
2032''.
SEC. 2011. CYBERSECURITY INFORMATION SHARING ACT OF 2015.
Section 111(a) of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act
of 2015 (6 U.S.C. 1510(a)) is amended by striking ``September
30, 2026'' and inserting ``December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 2012. FEDERAL CYBERSECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2015.
Section 227(a) of the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act
of 2015 (6 U.S.C. 1525(a)) is amended by striking ``September
30, 2026'' and inserting ``December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 2013. JOINT TASK FORCES.
Section 708(b)(13) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6
U.S.C. 348(b)(13)) shall be applied by substituting
``December 11, 2026'' for ``September 30, 2026''.
SEC. 2014. EXTENSION OF THE TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION FUND AND
BOARD.
Section 1078(f)(1) of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (40 U.S.C. 11301 note) is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting ``December 11,
2026''.
SEC. 2015. FEE SETTING AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED STATES PATENT
AND TRADEMARK OFFICE.
Section 10(i)(2) of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (35
U.S.C. 41 note; Public Law 112-29) is amended by striking
``upon the expiration of the 15-year period beginning on the
date of the enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``on
December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 2016. UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
Section 209 of the International Religious Freedom Act of
1998 (22 U.S.C. 6436) is amended by striking ``September 30,
2026'' and inserting ``December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 2017. WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE PASSPORT
FEES.
Section 1(b)(2) of the Passport Act of June 4, 1920 (22
U.S.C. 214(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``September 30,
2010'' and inserting ``December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 2018. BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
(a) Statutory PAYGO Scorecards.--The budgetary effects of
this division and each succeeding division shall not be
entered on either PAYGO scorecard maintained pursuant to
section 4(d) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.
(b) Senate PAYGO Scorecards.--The budgetary effects of this
division and each succeeding division shall not be entered on
any PAYGO scorecard maintained for purposes of section 4106
of H. Con. Res. 71 (115th Congress).
(c) Classification of Budgetary Effects.--Notwithstanding
Rule 3 of the Budget Scorekeeping Guidelines set forth in the
joint explanatory statement of the committee of conference
accompanying Conference Report 105-217 and section 250(c)(8)
of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985, the budgetary effects of this division and each
succeeding division shall not be estimated--
(1) for purposes of section 251 of such Act;
(2) for purposes of an allocation to the Committee on
Appropriations pursuant to section 302(a) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974; and
(3) for purposes of paragraph (4)(C) of section 3 of the
Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 as being included in an
appropriation Act.
SEC. 2019. SECTION 781 EXTENSION.
Until December 11, 2026, the amendments made by section 781
of division B of Public Law 119-37 (7 U.S.C. 1639o note)
shall only apply with respect to products described in
paragraphs (1)(C)(ii)(I) and (1)(C)(iv)(I) of section 297A of
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1639o) (as
amended by such section 781).
DIVISION C--SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2026
SEC. 3001. SHORT TITLE.
This division may be cited as the ``Surface Transportation
Extension Act of 2026''.
SEC. 3002. DEFINITIONS.
In this division:
(1) Covered law.--The term ``covered law'' means any of the
following:
(A) Division A, division B, and division C of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58;
135 Stat. 429).
(B) Titles I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XI, and XXIV
of the FAST Act (Public Law 114-94; 129 Stat. 1312).
(C) Division A, division B, subtitle A of title I and title
II of division C, and division E of MAP-21 (Public Law 112-
141; 126 Stat. 405).
(D) Titles I, II, and III of the SAFETEA-LU Technical
Corrections Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-244; 122 Stat. 1572).
(E) Titles I, II, III, IV, V, and VI of SAFETEA-LU (Public
Law 109-59; 119 Stat. 1144).
(F) Titles I, II, III, IV, and V of the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century (Public Law 105-178; 112
Stat. 107).
(G) Titles II, III, and IV of the National Highway System
Designation Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-59; 109 Stat. 568).
(H) Titles I, II, III, IV, V, and VI of the Intermodal
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (Public Law
102-240; 105 Stat. 1914).
(I) Title 23, United States Code.
(J) Sections 116, 117, 330, 5128, 5505, and 24905 and
chapters 53, 67, 139, 303, 311, 313, 701, and 702 of title
49, United States Code.
(2) Extension end date.--The term ``extension end date''
means December 11, 2026.
(3) Extension fraction.--The term ``extension fraction''
means the quotient, expressed as a fraction, obtained by
dividing--
(A) the number of days in the extension period; by
(B) 365.
(4) Extension period.--The term ``extension period'' means
the period that begins on October 1, 2026, and ends on the
extension end date.
(5) Highway account.--The term ``Highway Account'' means
the portion of the Highway Trust Fund that is not the Mass
Transit Account.
(6) Mass transit account.--The term ``Mass Transit
Account'' means the portion of the Highway Trust Fund
established under section 9503(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986.
TITLE I--SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS
SEC. 3101. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided in this
division, the requirements, authorities, conditions,
eligibilities, limitations, and other provisions authorized
under the covered laws, which would otherwise expire on or
cease to apply after September 30, 2026, are incorporated by
reference and shall continue in effect through the extension
end date.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) Highway trust fund.--
(A) Highway account.--There is authorized to be
appropriated from the Highway Account for fiscal year 2027,
for each program with respect to which amounts are authorized
to be appropriated from such account for fiscal year 2026, an
amount equal to the extension fraction of the amount
authorized for appropriation with respect to the program from
such account under the covered laws for fiscal year 2026.
(B) Mass transit account.--There is authorized to be
appropriated from the Mass Transit Account for fiscal year
2027, for each program with respect to which amounts are
authorized to be appropriated from such account for fiscal
year 2026, an amount equal to the extension fraction of the
amount authorized for appropriation with respect to the
program from such account under the covered laws for fiscal
year 2026.
(2) General fund.--There is authorized to be appropriated
for fiscal year 2027, for each program under the covered laws
with respect to
[[Page H5382]]
which amounts are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal
year 2026 from an account other than the Highway Account or
the Mass Transit Account, an amount that is not less than the
extension fraction of the amount authorized for appropriation
with respect to the program under the covered laws for fiscal
year 2026.
(c) Use of Funds.--
(1) In general.--Amounts authorized to be appropriated for
fiscal year 2027 with respect to a program under subsection
(b) shall be distributed, administered, limited, and made
available for obligation in the same manner as amounts
authorized to be appropriated with respect to the program for
fiscal year 2026 under the covered laws.
(2) Apportionment notice to states.--Section 104(e)(2) of
title 23, United States Code, shall not apply for fiscal year
2027.
(d) Obligation Limitation.--A program for which amounts are
authorized to be appropriated under subsection (b)(1) shall
be subject to a limitation on obligations for fiscal year
2027 in an amount equal to the extension fraction of the
limitation on obligations for the program for fiscal year
2026 and in the same manner as the limitation applicable with
respect to the program for fiscal year 2026.
SEC. 3102. APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--During the extension period, section 14703
of title 40, United States Code, shall be applied--
(1) in subsection (a)(6), by substituting ``2027'' for
``2026'';
(2) in subsection (c), by substituting ``2027'' for
``2026''; and
(3) in subsection (d), by substituting ``2027'' for
``2026''.
(b) Termination.--During the extension period, section
14704 of title 40, United States Code, shall be applied by
substituting ``2027'' for ``2026''.
SEC. 3103. SPORT FISHING.
During the extension period, section 4 of the Dingell-
Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777c) shall be
applied--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by substituting ``2027'' for ``2026''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), in the first sentence, by
substituting ``2027'' for ``2026''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), in the first sentence, by
substituting ``2027'' for ``2026''.
SEC. 3104. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN FUNDING.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 118(b) of title
23, United States Code, any funds authorized from the Highway
Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) under
section 11101 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
(Public Law 117-58; 135 Stat. 443) for a program described in
subsection (b) that would otherwise lapse on September 30,
2026, shall be available until September 30, 2027.
(b) Program Described.--A program referred to in subsection
(a) is a program other than a program for which funding is
apportioned under section 104(b) or section 130(f) of title
23, United States Code.
TITLE II--TRUST FUNDS
SEC. 3201. EXTENSION OF EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY FOR HIGHWAY
TRUST FUND, SPORT FISH RESTORATION AND BOATING
TRUST FUND, AND LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE
TANK TRUST FUND.
(a) Highway Trust Fund.--Section 9503 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) by striking ``October 1, 2026'' in subsections
(b)(6)(B), (c)(1), and (e)(3) and inserting ``December 12,
2026'', and
(2) by striking ``Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act''
in subsections (c)(1) and (e)(3) and inserting ``Surface
Transportation Extension Act of 2026''.
(b) Sport Fish Restoration And Boating Trust Fund.--Section
9504 of such Code is amended--
(1) by striking ``Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act''
each place it appears in subsection (b)(2) and inserting
``Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2026'', and
(2) by striking ``October 1, 2026'' in subsection (d)(2)
and inserting ``December 12, 2026''.
(c) Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.--Section
9508(e)(2) of such Code is amended by striking ``October 1,
2026'' and inserting ``December 12, 2026''.
DIVISION D--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EXTENDERS
TITLE I--HEALTH CARE MATTERS
SEC. 4101. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF
COPAYMENTS FOR HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME
CARE.
Section 1710(f)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting
``December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 4102. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME
CARE TO CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED
DISABILITIES.
Section 1710A(d) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting
``December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 4103. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR EXPANSION OF RURAL ACCESS
NETWORK FOR GROWTH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM.
Section 2(d) of the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental
Health Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-21; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note)
is amended by striking ``$1,200,000 for each of fiscal years
2022 through 2026 to carry out this section.'' and inserting
``to carry out this section, for--
``(1) each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, $1,200,000;
and
``(2) the period beginning on October 1, 2026, and ending
on December 11, 2026, $236,713.''.
SEC. 4104. EXTENSION OF STAFF SERGEANT PARKER GORDON FOX
SUICIDE PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 201(j) of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans
Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-
171; 38 U.S.C. 1720F note) is amended by striking ``September
30, 2026'' and inserting ``December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 4105. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR GRANTS OR CONTRACTS TO
PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO FAMILY
CAREGIVERS OF VETERANS.
Section 1720K(n) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``, for each of fiscal years 2025 and
2026, $10,000,000 to carry out this section'' and inserting
``to carry out this section, for--
``(1) each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026, $10,000,000; and
``(2) the period beginning on October 1, 2026, and ending
on December 11, 2026, $1,972,603.''.
SEC. 4106. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR
AMBULANCE COST FOR CARE FOR CERTAIN RURAL
VETERANS.
Section 143(c) of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century
Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Public Law
118-210; 38 U.S.C. 1728 note) is amended by striking
``September 30, 2026'' and inserting ``December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 4107. EXTENSION OF INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR SHARING OF
HEALTH CARE RESOURCES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
Section 8111(d)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting
``December 11, 2026''.
TITLE II--BENEFITS
SEC. 4201. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAINTAIN REGIONAL OFFICE
IN REPUBLIC OF PHILIPPINES.
Section 315(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting ``December
11, 2026''.
SEC. 4202. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT RELATING TO RESTORATION
OF ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE IN
CASES OF CLOSURE OR DISAPPROVAL OF EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS.
Section 3699(c)(2)(C) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting
``December 11, 2026''.
TITLE III--HOUSING
SEC. 4301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR
HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS AND HOMELESS VETERANS
WITH CHILDREN REINTEGRATION GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 2021A(f)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``to carry out this section $1,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2026.'' and inserting
``to carry out this section--
``(A) $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through
2026; and
``(B) $197,261 for the period beginning on October 1, 2026,
and ending on December 11, 2026.''.
SEC. 4302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND
REHABILITATION FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL AND
HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``September 30, 2026''
and inserting ``December 11, 2026''.
(b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section
2033(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting ``December 11,
2026''.
SEC. 4303. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR
HOMELESS VETERANS.
Section 2041(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting ``December
11, 2026''.
SEC. 4304. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN
FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.
Section 2044(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(10) $130,191,781 for the period beginning on October 1,
2026, and ending on December 11, 2026.''.
SEC. 4305. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR
HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
Section 2061(d)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``for each of fiscal years 2007 through
2026, $5,000,000 shall be available for each such fiscal year
for the purposes of the program under this section.'' and
inserting ``, the following shall be available for the
purposes of the program under this section:
``(A) For each of fiscal years 2007 through 2026,
$5,000,000.
``(B) For the period beginning on October 1, 2026, and
ending on December 11, 2026, $986,302.''.
SEC. 4306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
HOMELESS VETERANS.
Section 2066(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting ``December
11, 2026''.
SEC. 4307. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR
SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING FOR DISABLED VETERANS
RESIDING TEMPORARILY IN HOUSING OWNED BY A
FAMILY MEMBER.
Section 2102A(e) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting
``December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 4308. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED
HOUSING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 2108(g) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting ``December
11, 2026''.
[[Page H5383]]
TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS
SEC. 4401. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS TO TRANSPORT INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM
FACILITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 111A(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting
``December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 4402. EXTENSION OF SUBPOENA AUTHORITY OF INSPECTOR
GENERAL OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 312(d)(7)(A) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting
``December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 4403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADAPTIVE SPORTS
PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF
THE ARMED FORCES.
Section 521A of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (g)(1), by adding at the end the
following:
``(C) $3,156,165 for the period beginning on October 1,
2026, and ending on December 11, 2026.''; and
(2) in subsection (l), by striking ``fiscal years 2010
through 2026'' and inserting ``the period beginning on
October 1, 2009, and ending on December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 4404. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
MINORITY VETERANS.
Section 544(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting ``December
11, 2026''.
SEC. 4405. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO PLOT
ALLOWANCES.
Section 301(c)(2) of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st
Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act
(Public Law 118-210; 38 U.S.C. 2303 note) is amended by
striking ``October 1, 2026'' and inserting ``December 12,
2026''.
SEC. 4406. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOAN
PROGRAM.
Section 3733(a)(8) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``September 30, 2026'' and inserting ``December 11, 2026'';
and
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 2026''
and inserting ``December 11, 2026''.
SEC. 4407. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSFER OF REAL
PROPERTY.
Section 8118(a)(5) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting
``December 11, 2026''.
Amend the title so as to read: ``An Act making continuing
appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2027, and for other
purposes.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant
=========================== NOTE ===========================
On September 1, 2026, page H5383, in the first column, the
following appeared: 2026'' and inserting ``December 11, 2026''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
The online version has been corrected to read: 2026'' and
inserting ``December 11, 2026''. Amend the title so as to read:
``An Act making con- tinuing appropriations and extensions for
fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes.''. The SPEAKER pro
tempore. Pursu-
========================= END NOTE =========================
to the rule, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) and the gentlewoman
from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) each will control 20 minutes.The Chair
recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma.
General Leave
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate amendments to H.R. 6500,
the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2027.
Mr. Speaker, today is the first day of September. At this time of
year, some people think of fall. Some people, like me, think of
football, but on the Appropriations Committee, our focus is on the end
of the fiscal year.
September 30 marks the end of the fiscal year 2026, and that means
both the House and the Senate must act to fund the government for the
coming fiscal year.
The Constitution entrusts Congress with a solemn duty to fund the
government. This is a responsibility I have never viewed as optional
and one I have remained committed to honoring through regular order.
I am extremely pleased that the House Appropriations Committee
largely fulfilled its responsibilities earlier this year. By the middle
of June, the Appropriations Committee reported out all 12 of our fiscal
year 2027 appropriations bills, the earliest we have done so since
fiscal year 2020.
The full House has also passed three of these bills. I had hoped that
the House's quick actions would lead to sending a series of
appropriations measures to the President's desk before the end of the
fiscal year.
Unfortunately, time is running short. Though the House acted
expeditiously, our colleagues across the rotunda have not approached
this problem with the same sense of urgency. Indeed, the Senate has yet
to report a single bill out of the Senate Appropriations Committee,
much less across the Senate floor.
Like it or not, the Constitution entrusts Congress, both the House
and the Senate, with the responsibility of funding the government. The
fact remains that this House cannot act solely on its own.
The hard reality before us is straightforward: The fiscal year
deadline is outpacing the work that remains. Recognizing that this was
a possibility in July, the House proactively passed H.R. 9770, a
continuing resolution to fund the government through December 4. I am
glad to say the example we set helped paved the way for action in the
other Chamber. The Senate built on our plan and before leaving for
recess, our colleagues passed an amended version of that bill. We now
have an opportunity to take this measure up and send it to the
President for his approval.
This clean, short-term continuing resolution simply keeps the
government open, protects the progress we have made, and preserves the
path to full-year appropriations. If enacted, the bill before us today
will fund the government through December 11. This will allow Congress
time to get past the November elections and allow us time to assess and
move forward with further appropriations measures in November and
December.
Let me be very clear, Mr. Speaker, about what this bill does and does
not do: The bill funds the government and keeps it open through
December 11, ensuring our constituents will continue to get the
services they need. The bill protects our national security, providing
funding for our Armed Forces and security agencies as well as crucial
authorities for core research and development programs to ensure our
military remains the best armed and equipped services in the world.
The bill contains no poison pills and no partisan riders. It doesn't
mean I agree with everything in it, but I think the time to act is now.
The bill has the support of the White House and notably the bill
preserves the House's progress and the ability to pass full-year
funding bills after the November elections.
Over and over, I hear from my constituents that they want Congress to
work together and do the right thing for the American people. That is
precisely what we are doing in taking up today's bill.
The bill before us is a clean, narrowly tailored continuing
resolution that keeps the government open and operating, nothing more,
nothing less.
It gives the Nation and our constituents certainty: certainty that
the government will remain open, certainty that our servicemembers will
be paid, certainty that the TSA will remain operating, certainty that
Social Security checks will go out on time, certainty that home buyers
will be able to secure mortgages, certainty that the Nation will be
protected from foreign threats, certainty that Americans will be able
to access nutrition assistance and disaster relief, certainty that
roads will be repaired and critical infrastructure projects will
continue, and certainty that our elections will be secure.
The choice is clear.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to
join me in voting for this responsible measure, and I look forward to
continuing the FY 2027 appropriations process in the months ahead.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the measure we are considering
today, which would extend government funding through December 11.
This bill, which passed the Senate by a vote of 90-6, is a marked
improvement on the measure House Republicans forced to the floor before
the district work period. We had three main objectives to that piece of
legislation. It did not address a proposed rule from the White House
Budget Office that granted unprecedented authority over Federal
spending to political appointees in the Trump administration. It did
not include spending adjustments known as anomalies that prevent
interruptions or reductions of certain services during a temporary
funding extension. It created a loophole that would have allowed
certain funds within the Department of Homeland Security to be diverted
to the Border Patrol in violation of the bipartisan agreement struck
earlier this year.
I am pleased that the measure that we are considering today corrects
these
[[Page H5384]]
issues with the House Republican legislation. It prevents cuts to
wildfire suppression, election security, economic development, and
infrastructure investments. It supports the Commodity Supplemental Food
Program, allows the FBI to continue planning for the 2028 Olympics,
facilitates preparations for the 2030 census, extends the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission's Whistleblower Program, supports the launch
schedule for NOAA's weather satellites, and much more.
{time} 1230
The bill contains no funding for ICE and prevents the Department of
Homeland Security from using any money in this bill for the Border
Patrol.
The Trump administration has provided tens of billions of dollars in
advance funding for these agencies already. We will not support a
single cent in further funding without substantial reforms to protect
our communities from abuse.
Additionally, the bill denies the administration's request for vanity
projects, like the $1 billion Trump-class battleships.
These are all welcome provisions.
This measure also freezes a White House budget policy that would put
President Trump's political appointees in charge of virtually all of
Federal funding. This is an important first step, but more must be done
to permanently block this policy before it is allowed to take effect.
Federal funding must be awarded as Congress intended based upon
genuine need and objective merit. Funding for cancer research should
not be blocked because of partisan politics. Whether a community
receives disaster relief should not depend on who they voted for in the
last election.
Recently, the Department of Energy admitted in court that they had
canceled certain grants solely because they were awarded to communities
represented by Democrats.
If this proposed policy is allowed to come to fruition, this kind of
political weaponization will become the norm. It is an extraordinarily
dangerous precedent, one which will harm all of our constituents in the
long run.
I know there is bipartisan opposition to this policy, but I am
optimistic that we can work together to prevent it from taking effect,
to protect Congress' constitutional prerogative over Federal spending,
and protect our communities from being starved of sorely needed Federal
resources.
To be clear, the continuing resolution we are considering today is in
no way a substitute for the full-year funding process. It is merely a
means to complete this important work while averting a lapse in
government funding.
I remain committed to negotiating bipartisan agreements for all 12
appropriations bills for fiscal year 2027 before the conclusion of this
continuing resolution. I believe Chairman Cole, Vice Chair Murray, and
Chair Collins share this commitment.
There can be no replacement for the appropriations process, not
continuing resolutions, not reconciliation, not empowerments, nor
pocket rescissions. The power of the purse resides in the Congress. It
is our exclusive responsibility. We do a disservice to this institution
and the American people when we forfeit our authority over Federal
spending to the executive branch.
The first step in exercising that authority is passing this bill
today. The next step is enacting full-year bills that protect our
constituents' interests and make sure that Federal investments are
delivered to the American people without the interference of unelected
political appointees in the White House, at the Office of Management
and Budget, or throughout the Trump administration.
I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation while we
continue the difficult but necessary work of crafting full-year funding
bills that rein in this reckless administration, reassert Congress'
power of the purse, and provide relief to the American people
struggling with the high cost of living.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Alford), my good friend and a distinguished member of the
Committee on Appropriations.
Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Cole and Ranking Member
DeLauro for their hard work in this endeavor.
Mr. Speaker, here we are again. I rise in strong support of this
continuing resolution.
Last year, Senate Democrats manufactured a 42-day shutdown that
punished troops, farmers, veterans, and working families. Airports were
backed up and paychecks froze. Rural hospitals and local law
enforcement felt the hit, and Missouri families paid the price for
Washington games. We will not let that happen again.
This clean, short-term continuing resolution keeps the government
open through early December. It pays our troops. It funds the
Department of Veterans Affairs. It keeps SNAP and WIC operating for
Missouri mothers and children. It sustains USDA programs our farmers
and ranchers depend on. It funds disaster relief and surface
transportation. It does not load the bill with poison pills that invite
another crisis right before the American people vote.
House Republicans have already done the hard work. They have moved
the appropriations bills. They have restored regular order. They fought
for fiscal discipline and for real investments in rural America,
including more than $20 million that was secured for Missouri's Fourth
Congressional District in infrastructure, rural health, agriculture
research, and public safety.
Mr. Speaker, a continuing resolution is not the finish line. Full-
year bills are the finish line, but a shutdown is not a strategy. It is
an abdication. It is a political stunt dressed up as principle.
The other side had a chance last year to help us fund the government,
but they chose leverage instead. They chose chaos instead.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, the American people remember that.
Today, we choose competence and to keep the lights on. We protect the
progress already made. We give appropriators the time to finish our
full-year bills without holding servicemembers, farmers, and seniors
hostage.
You see, Missourians did not send me here to shut the government down
for talking points. The American people sent us here to fund the
government, to cut the waste, to secure the country, and get results.
That is why, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this
resolution to keep the government open and then finish the
appropriations work the Constitution actually requires of us here in
Congress.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), the distinguished ranking member of the
Subcommittee on Defense.
Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this continuing
resolution, and I thank the chair and the ranking member for bringing
it to the floor for us to have a vote on.
Congress knows that CRs are not the way to fund the Federal
Government. They are ineffective. They are inefficient in so many ways.
Yet, we must keep the Federal Government operating because Americans
deserve the certainty that the government services they rely on will be
there for them.
I also wish to state that I am very proud that this bill for the CR
does not have any funding that the President requested in his
supplemental for the war in Iran, which was his war of choice. There is
no money in this that the President had been requesting in
supplementals.
President Trump's disastrous tariffs on allies like Canada, his
unlawful war in Iran, they are all driving up the costs for Americans,
and the President fails to address the rising cost of living.
When the President fails to do so, Congress cannot. Congress cannot
let a government shutdown happen, too. It puts more burden on our
families. Our constituents simply cannot afford it. They deserve so
much better.
Senate Republicans also let the American people down by failing to
release any of their 12 appropriations bills for next year. I am proud
that the House moved forward in its work.
As I said, the House has done its job. It has advanced all 12
appropriations bills through the committee. I might not agree with the
bills in their totality, but it was a framework to get to conference
and to get the job done on time.
[[Page H5385]]
Again, I thank the chair and ranking member for working together to
make that happen.
As I urge my Senate colleagues to complete their work, to get it
done. Let's get to the negotiation table. I encourage my colleagues to
vote for the CR so we can have a bipartisan funding package that truly
invests in the needs of the American people.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Smith), my good friend and the distinguished chairman of
the House Committee on Ways and Means.
{time} 1240
Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Cole for the
opportunity to speak.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, which not only
prevents another government shutdown but also includes legislation
passed by the Ways and Means Committee and the House to reauthorize
trade policies that are vital to our Nation's economy and national
security.
For over two decades, the African Growth and Opportunity Act has been
the foundation of America's trade partnership with the nations of sub-
Saharan Africa. AGOA promotes greater economic stability and
opportunity across Africa while advancing America's strategic and
national security interests, including access to critical minerals and
more secure supply chains that are not beholden to Communist China.
Africa is home to approximately 30 percent of the world's critical
mineral resources. Strengthening our trade relationship with Africa
ensures that we do not surrender those critical minerals to China.
China has invested $8 billion to $10 billion in Africa and is seeking
to monopolize that entire market to control future technological
innovation and achieve military dominance. We cannot let that happen.
This bill also reauthorizes the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity
through Partnership Encouragement Act and the Haiti Economic Lift
Program Act, known as HOPE and HELP. These programs provide trade
preferences for textile and apparel products from Haiti and encourage
greater stability in a nation less than 600 miles away from the Florida
coast that has long suffered political and economic upheaval.
Greater stability in Haiti means fewer regional security concerns for
the United States. Earlier this year, we reauthorized both of these
vital agreements for an additional 1 year. Today's legislation ensures
that both AGOA and Haiti HOPE/HELP will be in effect through the end of
2028, which will give our committee and stakeholders interested in
these vital programs time to consider reforms and update them to ensure
that they continue to advance U.S. interests.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for
the purposes of closing.
Mr. Speaker, I support this measure, as I have indicated. It makes
important improvements over the bill that was put forward by House
Republicans before the August break.
It received broad bipartisan support in the Senate. It freezes a
White House budget policy that would take substantial power over
Federal funding away from Congress and claim it for the President, and
it allows us to complete our work on the 12 full-year funding bills for
fiscal year 2027. The House has completed its work, and now the Senate
must complete its work.
Continuing resolutions are imperfect tools. They are not replacements
for full-year appropriations, but they can be useful under certain
limited circumstances like those we currently find ourselves in.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this measure, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, as always, for working with us in
this matter cooperatively.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased, honestly, with the progress of the
House Appropriations Committee this year. Again, all 12 bills were
reported out of committee in the fastest time since fiscal year 2020.
I know those bills aren't in their final form, and so does my friend.
We still need to sit down and bargain together and bargain with the
Senate. Out of that, I believe we will emerge with a bipartisan
compromise that both sides can be proud of and that we can send to the
President for his approval.
For that to occur, the United States Senate has to begin to act. They
have to produce bills. For us to go an entire fiscal year almost--we
are about 30 days short of it--without a single Senate bill is just
unprecedented. I do not blame that on my Republican colleagues.
Frankly, they have the filibuster over there. They have to get to 60.
They have not been able to do that, and that is going to mean that we
are going to have an extraordinarily short time.
I am pleased, however, that the Senate acted. When we passed our
continuing resolution over here, we knew it would change when it got to
the Senate. Some of those changes, I actually agree with. Some of them,
I don't. They don't really change the substance or the fact that we
bought the time that we need to get through the election cycle and,
hopefully, the time that we need to get down to serious bargaining on
the other side of it.
For that to work, again, every person has to be at the table. Every
point of view has to be represented, and we have to find common ground.
We were able to do that last year by working together on almost
everything--not quite, but almost--and I think we can do that again
this year. It is important for the country that we do.
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my good friend, the ranking member of the
full committee, for always being an honest and direct negotiating
partner. I know that is going to continue. I know we have the same goal
of trying to get all of these bills done by the end of the calendar
year, if not the fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker, I invite the United States Senate, as a body, to join us
in that and produce some product, post some numbers, do something so
that we have some idea of what they are thinking about in terms of
long-term appropriations. Then, we will sit down, appropriately, and we
will bargain with them and hopefully come to a common conclusion.
The last thing this country needs is a full-year continuing
resolution. We need negotiated, bipartisan bills that achieve the
common objectives that, despite the partisan rhetoric of an election
year, I know we have together. We have worked together before to defend
the country, to advance biomedical research, to take care of early
childhood, to help first-time college students, to do all of the things
that the United States Government ought to be engaged in and do it in a
bipartisan way. I think we can do that again. This bill is a step in
that direction.
Again, I thank my friend for supporting the legislation. I hope our
Senate colleagues recognize that we are trying to move along. We didn't
want to fight over things, even the couple of things that we disagreed
with. We wanted to bring this to the floor and begin a bipartisan
process. Again, I think that is what we will accomplish today if we
pass these bills.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to
support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) that the House suspend the rules and
concur in the Senate amendments to the bill, H.R. 6500.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________