Senate Once Again Kicks Funding Can Down The Road

August 08, 2026 6:21 AM ET The Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) early Saturday to fund the government without addressing the national debt. The CR would fund the government through Dec. 11 to avoid a government shutdown ahead of the midterm elections. The funding bill extends current funding levels rather than addressing the national debt, which amounts to approximately $39.8 trillion. The House passed its own version of a CR on July 21 in a 220 to 205 vote, which would fund the government until Dec. 4. The Senate voted to invoke cloture on the CR in a 91 to 6 vote, which limited debate so the floor could eventually vote on final passage. Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Democratic Massachusetts Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, inde