November 13, 2025
Written by Tara Thomas, AESA Senior Government Affairs Manager
November 12 marked the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The House reconvened for the first time since mid-September to consider the funding bill the Senate passed on Monday night. The President and House Republican leaders support the measure, while most Democrats and some Republicans oppose it for different reasons.
What This Means for Education Funding
The bill extends current (FY 2025) funding levels for programs in the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bills through January 30. FY 2025 levels are essentially the same as FY 2024 levels, although the Administration made some changes by canceling or shifting funds within accounts.
The U.S. Department of Education has not yet posted its final FY 2025 spending plan. The table for “FY 2025 Congressional Action” is still missing from its budget website. The bill also pauses the mass layoffs the Department announced in early October until January 30. Those layoffs remain on hold due to ongoing litigation. What happens after January 30 will depend on future congressional or court action.
Looking Ahead: FY 2026 Appropriations
The Senate may begin debating a four-bill FY 2026 appropriations package as soon as next week. This package covers most federal spending, including Labor-HHS-Education, Defense, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Transportation-HUD. The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced its FY 2026 Labor-HHS-Education bill with strong bipartisan support. It keeps most education funding at FY 2024 levels, consistent with the continuing resolutions for FY 2025.