Republicans race to avoid costly government shutdown ahead of midterm elections

Published July 21, 2026 1:18pm ET | Updated July 21, 2026 1:18pm ET



House Republicans plan to push through a short-term government funding deal through December this week that would prevent a government shutdown before the midterm elections, as a spending showdown days before the election could prove politically perilous to the party in power.

A GOP-led continuing resolution is expected to be voted on Tuesday night that funds the government through Dec. 4. Government funding would lapse at the end of September, just about a month out from the midterm elections.

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