Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027

This act provides continuing FY2027 appropriations for federal agencies through December 11, 2026, and extends various expiring programs and authorities.

DIVISION A--CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2027

Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027

This division provides continuing FY2027 appropriations to federal agencies through the earlier of December 11, 2026, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2027 appropriations bills have not been enacted when FY2027 begins on October 1, 2026.

The CR funds most programs and activities at the FY2026 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility or additional appropriations for various programs. For example, the CR includes exceptions for

the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); Small Business Administration loans; the Disaster Relief Fund; the Indian Health Service; the Department of Justice; and wildfire suppression activities. For more information on this division, see CRS Report R49353, Overview of Continuing Appropriations for FY2027 (Division A of P.L. 119-103) .

DIVISION B--AUTHORIZING EXTENSIONS

This division extends various expiring programs and authorities, including certain programs related to agriculture and foreign trade.

(Sec. 2001) This section reauthorizes the United States Grain Standards Act, which authorizes the Department of Agriculture to establish official marketing standards for grains.

Specifically, this section extends the authority of the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) through December 11, 2026, to (1) collect fees for required federal supervision of official inspections and weighing services provided by designated official agencies and state agencies, and (2) maintain the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee.

The section also extends through FY2027 (1) the cap on FGIS's administrative and supervisory costs, and (2) authorization for FGIS grain standards development and maintenance activities.

(Sec. 2002) This section extends the authority for the Forest Service to use the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) program through December 11, 2026. The program allows the Forest Service to acquire skilled personnel (age 55 and older) from nonprofit partners to provide temporary technical and administrative services for conservation-related programs that are executed on or directly impacting National Forest System land.

(Sec. 2003) This section extends through December 11, 2026, the authority for entering into agreements to finance sales or provide other assistance through the Food for Peace program.

(Sec. 2004) This section extends certain authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 through December 11, 2026.

(Sec. 2005) This section extends through December 11, 2026, the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency to collect user fees under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

(Sec. 2006) This section increases Medicaid funding for FY2026 for the Northern Mariana Islands.

(Sec. 2007) This section reduces funding for the Medicare Improvement Fund beginning in FY2027.

(Sec. 2008) This section extends through December 31, 2028, trade preferences that provide duty-free access to the U.S. market for most exports from eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Specifically, the section extends through 2028 the duty-free treatment of the products of beneficiary SSA countries under the Trade Act of 1974 (specifically, the Generalized System of Preferences) and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). (Currently, there are 32 countries eligible for AGOA.)