Federal Managers Association

In the News

• With Eyes on Exit, Congress Taking Up Key Budget, Policy Bills - July 22, 2026

• FEDweek

  On the verge of a recess that will last until early September, Congress this week plans to take action on a bill to extend funding for federal agencies past the September 30 end of the current fiscal year, as well as on the annual must-pass defense authorization bill.

  While schedules are subject to change, Congress is scheduled to be in session only four weeks in September until the week after the November elections. Of the dozen regular appropriations bills, the House has passed just three and the Senate none.

  Among the measures the House has scheduled for this week is one that would extend funding largely at current levels through December 4 to buy more time—effectively a concession that the regular spending bills once again will not be enacted before the new budget year begins.

  It is questionable whether the Senate could take up such a measure before sometime in September, and the record-setting shutdown of last fall and the DHS-only shutdown of earlier this year have shown that both Congress and the White House are willing to allow funding to lapse in pursuit of budgetary and program goals.

  2027 Raise

  Among the pending appropriations bills is the one covering general government matters and which is the vehicle for Congress to take a position on the following year’s federal employee pay raise. So far indications are that it will follow the practice of most recent years by taking no position and allowing the White House’s recommendation to take effect by default.

  To read the full article, click here.

##