Government affairs

Today, President Donald Trump signed a bill to fund the government through Sept. 30, narrowly avoiding a partial shutdown.

In another contentious week on Capitol Hill, the House voted 217-213 to pass the Republican-led bill on Tuesday. Only two members crossed party lines, with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) voting against the bill and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) voting for its passage.

On Friday, with hours left to spare before the deadline, the Senate passed the bill in a 54-46 vote. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) supported the bill along with eight other Democratic senators and one independent (who caucuses with the Democrats).

Since Postal Service operations are not subject to the Congressional budget process, a shutdown would not have affected letter carriers’ daily work. Still, NALC remains engaged in the annual appropriations process to ensure no proposals would affect letter carriers’ benefits or any Postal Service operations.

Overall, the bill funds the government through Sept. 30 at the levels set by the fiscal 2024 spending laws. The bill increases funding for defense and immigration enforcement while cutting non-defense discretionary spending by $13 billion, reflecting Republican priorities.

As Congress begins work on Fiscal Year 2026, debates over fiscal responsibility and the role of government agencies are expected to intensify in the coming months, focusing on defense funding, social program allocations, and broader fiscal policies. The passage of this continuing resolution marks a significant turning point in the fiscal year, with long-term implications for both immediate funding and policy.

NALC will update letter carriers as the House and Senate budget and appropriations process continues.