House Rules Committee backs short-term funding bill after hours of debate over health care, NIH cuts and security funding

The House Rules Committee on Wednesday approved a closed rule to bring H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2026, to the House floor by a recorded vote (9 yeas, 3 nays). The short-term measure, described by sponsors as a clean extension of current funding levels, would keep most federal programs funded through Nov. 21 and provide supplemental security funding for members of Congress, executive-branch officials and Supreme Court justices.

Supporters, led by Rep. Tom Cole, the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said the seven‑week CR was intended to keep the government open while appropriators finish work on individual spending bills. "This legislation keeps the government open. It's that simple," Cole told the Rules members during the hearing. He said the CR preserves current fiscal-year 2025 funding levels and includes a limited increase for security across branches of government so negotiators can continue conferring on three appropriations bills already moving through each chamber.

Opponents argued the CR fails to address an immediate health-care crisis tied to the scheduled expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and large Medicaid cuts in earlier legislation. "This isn't a warning light. This is a 5 alarm fire," said Ranking Member James McGovern, warning that millions of Americans could…