Memo to Members

Senators Propose Potential Agreement to End Record-Breaking Government Shutdown

Nov 10, 2025

By Kim Johnson, NLIHC Senior Director of Policy

As of this article’s publication, the U.S. Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement on a temporary funding measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), to reopen the federal government and end the 41-day shutdown.

The agreement would extend funding for federal programs and services through January 30, 2026, and includes three fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending bills for Agriculture, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, and Legislative Branch programs. It would also reverse the reductions in force (RIFs) implemented by the Trump administration since October 1 and guarantee legally mandated back pay for all federal workers, including those who have been furloughed and those who have been required to work. However, the agreement does not extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year, nor does it include language to prevent the Trump administration from rescinding previously appropriated funding. The Senate is expected to vote on the ACA extensions in mid-December, but the CR does not guarantee a vote.  

On September 9, the Senate held a cloture vote, a type of test vote that ends debate on a bill and allows it to move forward for consideration, on the CR. Eight Senators – Senators John Fetterman (D-PA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Angus King (I-ME) – broke with the Democratic caucus to vote in favor of advancing the agreement, with a final vote of 60-40. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican voting in opposition.  

After a cloture vote, the Senate has up to 30 hours to complete consideration and hold a final vote. The full chamber is expected to vote today (November 10) or tomorrow (November 11). U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has kept the House in recess since the shutdown began. If the Senate passes the CR, the House is expected to consider the agreement on November 12 or 13, with members receiving 36 hours' advance notice before the vote. 

Food Assistance Funding Included in CR Agreement  

Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is included in the FY26 funding bill for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), helping ensure continued assistance for households in need, even if another shutdown occurs after the CR expires in January. However, most recipients have not received their November SNAP benefits due to conflicting court orders on program administration during the shutdown. SNAP provides vital grocery assistance to 42 million people in the United States, primarily families with children, older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and low-wage workers. Without SNAP, these families must spend more of their limited income on food or sacrifice food to afford other necessities such as housing. 

Shutdown Risks for HUD-Assisted Households  

Households who receive HUD rental assistance — including Housing Choice Vouchers, Project-Based Rental Assistance, and public housing — should have their rent paid at least through December. However, the longer a shutdown continues, the greater the risk to assisted households, and the greater the disruption to essential federal services and programs. The National Housing Law Project (NHLP) published two updated shutdown resources, one for tenants outlining the legal rights of households receiving HUD assistance, and the other providing an overview of the impacts of a government shutdown for legal aid attorneys.  

The Need for Additional Funding for Voucher Renewals in a Final FY26 

The shutdown was triggered by the beginning of the new federal FY, which began on October 1. Once a CR is in place, members of Congress will still need to come together to reach a final agreement in FY26 spending bills, including the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) spending bill that funds HUD’s vital affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs.  

Both the House and Senate FY26 THUD spending bills reject the significant cuts proposed in President Trump’s FY26 budget request, but neither provides enough funding to renew all existing Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) or Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs). Without adequate funding, vouchers are lost through attrition, meaning they cannot be reissued when a household no longer needs them. Insufficient renewal funding puts households at risk of losing rental assistance, leading to housing instability, eviction, or homelessness. 

Currently, over 2.4 million households receive rental assistance, representing only one in four eligible households. Under the House’s FY26 spending bill, an estimated 181,900 fewer households would be served; under the Senate bill, 107,800 fewer would receive assistance. These losses would disproportionately impact older adults, people with disabilities, and families with children. 

Take Action 

NLIHC’s toolkits and resources can help advocates take action on FY26 funding. Our resources include talking points, engagement strategies, and additional key information needed to help advocates communicate with their members of Congress about the importance of investing in affordable housing and homelessness programs.   

Use NLIHC’s advocacy toolkit, “Opposing Cuts to Federal Investments in Affordable Housing,” to call on Congress to protect and expand affordable housing and homelessness resources, including NLIHC’s priorities:  

  • Full funding to renew all existing tenant-based voucher contracts, to ensure the people and families who rely on an HCV or EHV to keep a roof over their heads do not lose their assistance.
  • Check out the “EHV Funding Cliff Mobilization Toolkit” for more information, including talking points and resources.   
  • $4.922 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants (HAG) program, and for HUD to stick to its commitment to a two-year Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Continuum of Care Program.   
  • $5.7 billion for public housing operations, and at least $5 billion to address public housing capital needs.  
  • $15 million for the Eviction Protection Grant Program (EPGP), as provided in the Senate’s spending bill.   
  • At least $1.3 billion for HUD’s Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program and $150 million for IHBG-Competitive funds, targeted to Tribes with the greatest needs. 

Email or call members’ offices to tell them about the importance of affordable housing, homelessness, and community development resources to you, your family, your community, or your work. 

National, state, local, Tribal, and territorial organizations can also join over 2,800 organizations on CHCDF’s national letter calling on Congress to support the highest level of funding possible for affordable housing, homelessness, and community development resources in FY26.     

NLIHC will continue working with our partners to monitor the shutdown, its potential effects on HUD programs, and the people and communities they serve.   

Visit NLIHC’s Advocacy Hub for more information and resources that can help you take action and help protect the affordable housing programs people rely on.

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