President Trump Signs Continuing Resolution (CR) Reopening the Federal Government Congress Now Has Until January 30, 2026 To Complete Federal Spending Legislation, Honor Key Votes On Health Care and More
Overview
Just before 10 PM ET last night President Trump signed into law H.R. 5317 – Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 ending the government shutdown; providing Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26)continuing appropriations for most federal agencies through January 30, 2026; and enacting a “minibus” of appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026 (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026) for agriculture, military construction and veterans affairs, and legislative branches of the government programs. More on what’s included in the bill below.
In addition to the end of the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history, other actions of note took place in Washington. Here is today’s update.
H.R. 5317 – Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Following House floor consideration and a successful vote at just before 8:30 last night, Congress was able to end the forty-three day cessation of the government by enacting a new CR that extends federal funding for all but three agencies within the federal government – including Labor, Health and Human Resources, Education and Related Agencies through January 2026 at the prior FY25 funding levels. In addition, the bill provides FY26 funding for:
* the Department of Agriculture
* the Food and Drug Administration
* Department of Defense, Military Construction and Family Housing actions
* the Department of Veterans Affairs – including all education-related benefits
* Congress and agencies that support Congress.
Furthermore, the bill also includes several extensions for specific programs
* public health, Medicare, and Medicaid
* cybersecurity
* agriculture
* Food and Drug Administration user fees
* veterans benefits
* actions to mitigate a threat from an unmanned aircraft system (i.e., drones)
* the Defense Production Act of 1950.
And finally, the legislation also fulfills a portion of the negotiated agreement commitments which enable the legislation to be completed. They include:
* Repealing any firings resulting from a Reduction in Force initiated during the government shutdown (October 1 – November 12)
* Prohibits any additional RIFs by federal agencies through the end of the CR (January 30, 2026
* Provides for the immediate disbursement of back pay to all federal employees who did not receive compensation throughout the government closure.
AHED Committee Negotiated Rulemaking
In an additional update on CSPEN’s sharing of some of the Non-Federal negotiators who have been invited to serve on the Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD Committee.
Shortly after yesterday’s email we were pleased to confirm that Michale McComis, Executive Director, Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges was invited to serve as the primary negotiator representing the Accrediting Agencies recognized by the Secretary of Education.
Mark Priebe Designated to Become Acting Inspector General
Earlier this week on November 10, 2026, President Trump designated Mark Priebe (Director of non-Federal audit, Department of Education, Office of Inspector General) to assume the role as Acting Inspector General of the Department of Education. CSPEN congratulates Mr. Priebe (Mark) on this designation. Mark has been a perennial presenter at both CSPEN Annual Conferences and Higher Education Policy Meetings, and we agree with President Trump’s statement, “Priebe is the best available person to serve as Acting Inspector General of the Department of Education at this time.”
What’s Next
Today and tomorrow, it is our understanding that government employees will be returning to work and attempting to resume normal operations. However, given the month and a half hiatus from the ability to have access to their computers or phones it is likely going to take some time to get back to business. Tomorrow CSPEN will share as much information as we can on what to anticipate as the government returns from both the federal legislative and regulatory perspective AND we will provide even more information on next Thursday’s CSPEN Federal Legislative & Regulatory Update webinar.
