The Federal Government Opens After a 43-Day Shutdown
11/19/2025
After a 43-day government shutdown and a prolonged recess, Congress returned to Washington and passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to restore federal operations. The House approved the measure 222–209, and President Donald Trump signed it into law, formally reopening the government. The agreement ensures all federal employees separated during the shutdown are reinstated and receive full back pay for the closure period.
With operations resumed, Congress faces a compressed timeline to pass all 12 federal appropriations bills by January 30, 2026. The CR extends funding for Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and the Legislative Branch through September 30, 2026. These appropriations have important implications for higher education, as Veterans Affairs funding supports medical services and education benefits for student veterans, Agriculture and FDA funding provide resources for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants, and children (WIC), and other nutrition programs critical to student basic needs, and Legislative Branch funding shapes congressional oversight and federal policy direction. Together, these measures directly affect student food security, veteran services, workforce pathways, and the broader federal policy landscape impacting colleges and universities.
The Senate is expected to advance a larger appropriations package, including the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill, which is central to federal higher education funding and student support programs. The U.S. Department of Education has launched a $167 million Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) competition, with applications due December 3 and awards required by year-end. The competition focuses on four national priorities: advancing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in postsecondary education, promoting civil discourse on campuses, supporting accreditation reform, and expanding high-quality short-term workforce programs. These grants aim to strengthen institutional capacity, foster instructional innovation, and support national workforce and technology needs. The District looks forward to applying to these funding opportunities.
As appropriations negotiations continue and new grant opportunities arise, the coming weeks are crucial for the District to assess funding, compliance obligations, and avenues for innovation. The Office of Government Relations will remain closely monitoring the continuing resolution and its potential impact on the District’s legislative priorities.
Published by External Relations & Strategic Communications