Why It Matters
Congress has not enacted a regular fiscal 2027 legislative branch appropriations bill, leaving the government funded only through Dec. 11 on a continuing resolution, according to a new Congressional Research Service (CRS) report.
The fiscal 2027 budget request totals $8.507 billion, a 17.2% increase from the fiscal 2026 enacted level, while the House-reported bill would provide $5.442 billion for Title I only, excluding Senate items.
The continuing resolution, P.L. 119-103, covers Oct. 1 through Dec. 11 and bars any Member of Congress pay adjustment during that window, holding salaries at $174,000, where they have stood since January 2009.
The Big Picture
The current funding gap follows a partial shutdown at the start of fiscal 2026, which began Oct. 1, 2025, and ended only when P.L. 119-37 was enacted on Nov. 12, 2025. CRS reports total fiscal 2026 legislative branch funding under that law at $7.258 billion, a 7.6% increase including both divisions.
Under 31 U.S.C. §1105, the request is transmitted to the President and included in the annual budget without change, and the Office of Management and Budget does not review it.
Key measures in the fiscal 2027 process:
- H.R. 9010, sponsored by Rep. David G. Valadao (R-CA-22), is the fiscal year 2027 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and excludes Senate items. The full House Appropriations Committee ordered it reported May 20 by a 34-28 roll call vote, and it has been placed on the Union Calendar.
- H.R. 9770, a continuing appropriations proposal sponsored by Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK-4), passed the House on July 21.
- H.R. 6500, as amended, passed the Senate on Aug. 8 and the House on Sept. 1, and was enacted as P.L. 119-103 on Sept. 2, providing the current stopgap through Dec. 11.
The maximum potential 2027 Member pay adjustment under the statutory formula is 2.8%, or $4,900. H.R. 9010 §210 would extend the pay freeze through fiscal 2027 if enacted.
The Bottom Line
The continuing resolution P.L. 119-103 funds the government through December 11. No regular fiscal year 2027 legislative branch appropriations bill has yet been enacted. H.R. 9010, the fiscal 2027 Legislative Branch appropriations bill, has the status "Floor Consideration" and is on the Union Calendar. P.L. 119-103 bars any member of Congress pay adjustment during the period it covers, continuing a freeze that has held member salaries at $174,000 since January 2009.
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