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Legislative bills

Federal Funding Deadline Looms as Congress Negotiates Short-Term Spending Bill

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the fiscal year nears its end on September 30, Congress is racing to pass a short-term spending bill that will keep funding at previous levels until November 21. The bill, known as a continuing resolution, aims to address security measures for all three branches of government. The House is on track to pass the bill on September 19, but Senate Democrats are withholding their support, seeking to include expiring health care tax credits. Meanwhile, the NRCA is opposing the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, which they believe would impose unworkable regulations on industries beyond warehousing. The National Labor Relations Board is also set to challenge a new New York state law that expands the state's authority in labor relations matters. Amidst these developments, the USCIS has announced that the H-2B visa cap has been reached, affecting the seasonal workforce needs of many industries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The federal government's fiscal year will end on September 30, necessitating a short-term spending bill to maintain funding.
  • The House is expected to pass a continuing resolution on September 19, but its passage through the Senate remains uncertain due to opposition from Democrats.
  • The Warehouse Worker Protection Act, drafted by Senators Josh Hawley and Ed Markey, has been met with criticism from the NRCA, which fears it would impose unworkable regulations on industries beyond warehousing.
  • The National Labor Relations Board intends to challenge New York's recently enacted labor law, citing federal preemption and the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
  • The USCIS has reached the 33,000-visa cap for the H-2B seasonal visa program, effective for the first half of fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025-March 31, 2026).
  • The H-2B visa cap includes exemptions for qualifying returning workers and others not subject to the limit.
  • The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) is advocating for an increase in H-2B visa numbers to address ongoing workforce shortages.

Statistics:

  • 33,000: the congressionally mandated cap on H-2B visas for the first half of fiscal year 2026.
  • 19: the day on which the House is expected to pass a continuing resolution to maintain federal funding.
  • 60: the number of Senate votes required to pass the short-term spending bill.
  • 30: the deadline by which Congress must pass a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown.
  • 30: the fiscal year that will end on September 30.
  • 2026: the fiscal year for which the House and Senate are in formal negotiations regarding Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts.

Sources:

  • National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)
  • The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
  • New York State Government (Governor Kathy Hochul)
  • S. 2613: Warehouse Worker Protection Act
  • Senate Democrats
  • House of Representatives
  • Senate of the United States

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