H.R. 6500: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027

H.R. 6500 keeps the federal government open through December 11, 2026, instead of letting funding lapse.

In practice, that means most agencies keep operating at roughly their fiscal year 2026 levels until Congress passes full-year 2027 spending bills or the deadline hits. The bill is built to preserve the status quo, not launch major new programs.

That freeze is especially clear at the Pentagon. Defense can keep current operations going, but the bill blocks most new production, higher production rates, and new projects that were not funded last year.

The measure also extends a long list of expiring authorities. That includes short-term extensions for transportation and veterans programs, several technology and cybersecurity authorities through December 11, 2026, and customs user fees all the way through March 31, 2032.

There are also a few targeted funding moves inside the stopgap. The bill provides $21.4 million for Northern Mariana Islands disaster relief, about $84.1 million combined for Indian Health Service services and facilities, and specific added authority for Navy shipbuilding cost increases, including up to $566.5 million for the Columbia-class submarine program.

On the savings side, it trims the Medicare Improvement Fund from $2.062 billion to $2.041 billion — a $21 million reduction. It also blocks a congressional pay raise.

So the basic trade is straightforward: services keep running now, but Congress is setting up another funding deadline instead of settling the 2027 budget.