Can Congress avoid a government shutdown at the last minute?
A clear explanation of how Congress can still avoid a shutdown close to a deadline, what a continuing resolution does, and why last-minute deals are so common.
The basic path out
The last-minute path is straightforward in theory: the House and Senate pass funding, the president signs it, and agencies have legal authority to keep operating.
In practice, the hard part is political agreement. The procedural route exists, but lawmakers still need the votes and enough time to move the bill.
Why a continuing resolution is usually the escape hatch
When full-year appropriations are not ready, Congress often uses a continuing resolution, or CR. A CR temporarily extends funding and moves the next deadline to a later date.
That is why shutdown coverage often turns into a question about whether lawmakers can pass a short clean CR before midnight or before the fiscal deadline arrives.
- Full appropriations can prevent a shutdown.
- A CR can temporarily prevent or end a shutdown.
- A short-term CR usually creates another deadline later.
Need the date itself?
The countdown page keeps the next hard funding deadline visible so you can judge how much time Congress has left.
Open the countdown pageFrequently asked
Can Congress pass a bill after midnight and still fix it?
A bill passed after the deadline can reopen affected agencies, but a lapse may already have technically occurred.
What is the fastest way to avoid a shutdown?
A temporary continuing resolution is often the fastest route when full-year spending bills are not ready.
Does a last-minute CR solve the whole budget fight?
Usually no. It often delays the fight by creating a new expiration date.