Congress Passes Short-Term Government Funding Package, Including Much-Anticipated LIHEAP Funding

On November 12, 2025, the U.S. House passed an amended Continuing Resolution from the U.S. Senate to reopen the government after 43 days. This legislation would extend Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 funding levels until January 30, 2026. This extension gives lawmakers additional time to negotiate final appropriations for FY 2026.

The amended CR would also include a “minibus” of full-year FY 2026 appropriations bills, covering the Legislative Branch, Agriculture, and Military Construction/VA. As part of the agreement, Democrats have secured a commitment for a December vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.

President Trump has signed the bill into law. The passed CR would keep LIHEAP funding at FY 2024 levels. The Department of Health and Human Services will receive only a prorated share of its annual funding—covering the period from October 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026. As federal employees return to work, LIHEAP funds may take 30-60 days or longer to process and distribute to states. Preparedness may vary by state; NPGA encourages marketers to contact their state LIHEAP offices for the most current information.

For state-by-state LIHEAP resources, visit National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition’s (NEUAC) directory.

As federal employees return to work, programs, projects, and grants paused during the shutdown will resume or move forward in their review processes. This includes the release of EIA weekly data, progress on FTA’s Clean Bus Grant Program, FMCSA’s decision on NPGA’s seasonal hours-of-service waiver petition, and consideration of NPGA’s request for a FY 2026 PHMSA HMIT grant. With agencies reopening, federal staff will also be able to resume communication with stakeholders, allowing NPGA to move ahead in securing meetings with numerous Members of Congress and federal agency leaders.

For more information, contact NPGA Manager of Federal Legislative Affairs Lauren Medlin.