Senator Katie Britt Leads Senate Effort to End Historic Shutdown and Advance FY26 Appropriations

In a decisive moment for Congress and the American public, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) announced the Senate's final passage of a Continuing Resolution (CR) and a package of Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations bills, marking a major breakthrough in ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The legislative package, which includes funding for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA), the Legislative Branch, and Agriculture, now heads to the House of Representatives before reaching President Trump's desk for signature into law.

Senator Britt, who has emerged as a key negotiator in the Senate's efforts to reopen the government, maintained constant communication with the White House and Trump Administration throughout the process. Her bipartisan outreach included coordination with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.Dak.), Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), reflecting a broad coalition of lawmakers committed to restoring government operations.

"After more than 40 days-marking the longest shutdown in American history-the undue suffering of the American people will soon come to an end," Britt declared. "From the beginning, I have always viewed returning to regular order in our appropriations process as the best pathway forward."

The shutdown, which began in late September, had paralyzed federal agencies, delayed paychecks for thousands of workers, and disrupted essential services across the country. Britt's leadership in crafting and advancing the CR and appropriations bills was instrumental in breaking the legislative stalemate.

"Ultimately, this package of appropriations bills, in addition to Republicans' continuing resolution, will reopen the government, fund critical programs like SNAP and WIC, ensure our nation's outstanding veterans have access to essential services, and pay our federal workers, Capitol police, and air traffic controllers," she said.

The CR itself extends government funding through November 21, 2025, and maintains FY2025 spending levels with targeted increases for security and flexibility in key programs. The appropriations bills provide long-term funding for vital sectors, including military infrastructure, veterans' healthcare, agricultural development, and legislative operations.

Britt emphasized her commitment to Alabama constituents and the broader national interest throughout the shutdown. "I'm deeply proud to have voted over 15 times to keep the government open and working for Alabamians and the American people," she noted. Her voting record reflects consistent support for bipartisan solutions and procedural efforts to avoid prolonged disruption.

"I'm also grateful for my Senate Republican colleagues, and colleagues across the aisle, who worked diligently to bring this shutdown to an end," Britt added. "I am honored to have played a role in the negotiations that led us to this point, and I look forward to continuing to work to put people over politics and make our government function again."

The legislative breakthrough comes after weeks of tense negotiations and failed votes. The House passed the CR on September 19 by a narrow margin of 217–212, but the Senate initially failed to reach the 60-vote threshold required for passage. Britt's persistence and strategic engagement helped revive the effort, culminating in the successful Senate vote on November 10.

The FY26 appropriations bills also reflect Britt's policy priorities, particularly in supporting veterans and rural communities. The MilCon-VA bill includes expanded funding for veterans' medical services and housing, while the Agriculture bill ensures continued support for nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC-critical lifelines for low-income families across Alabama and the nation.

As the package moves to the House, Britt's role as a bridge-builder and policy driver remains central. Her ability to navigate partisan divides and maintain dialogue with the Trump Administration has positioned her as a rising force in Senate leadership.

Sources:

Senator Katie Britt's official press release

Congress.gov summary of H.R.5371

National Association of Counties report on CR passage