Columbia News

The Senate has voted to end the federal government shutdown after 41 days, marking the longest such closure in U.S. history. The legislative package, which includes three appropriations bills for fiscal year 2026—covering Agriculture, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (Mil-Con/VA), and the Legislative Branch—now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) commented on the development: “Today, after nearly six weeks of paralysis, a handful of Senate Democrats finally ended their ‘resistance’ and voted to reopen the federal government. From day one, Republicans clearly stated we would not allow the government to be held hostage to advance partisan policy goals. As the longest shutdown on record ends, one thing is clear — Senate Democrats shut down the government for nothing. They inflicted weeks of pain on the American people only to accept the same deal we offered from the start. I urge my House colleagues to consider this legislation as soon as possible. It’s time to get back to work,” said Senator Schmitt.

The appropriations bills include several measures that impact Missouri directly:

- $127.6 million is allocated for future basing of B-21 Raiders at Whiteman Air Force Base.

- The legislation addresses transparency concerning General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital and military housing conditions at Fort Leonard Wood.

- $50 million will support local water management projects aimed at providing safe and reliable water access in rural communities.

- The University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment will receive $982,000 for expansion.

- Agricultural Policy Research Centers, including those at the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, are set to receive $2,425,000.

- Resources are included in the bill to address threats such as new world screwworms, chronic wasting disease, and avian influenza.

- Funding is maintained for land-grant universities and competitive grant programs supporting agricultural research.

- Provisions deliver resources for oversight by the Committee on Foreign Investment in order to protect U.S. farmland from foreign ownership concerns.

- Additional resources are directed toward combating illegal importation and sale of Chinese e-cigarettes through support for Federal Drug Administration enforcement.

For legislative operations:

- The pay freeze for Members of Congress will continue into FY 2026.

- Existing prohibitions remain against selling communications equipment from Huawei or ZTE Corporations.

- Any unspent funds from Members’ personal office budgets must be used toward debt and deficit reduction.