Members of the U.S. House today began debating the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 package — a big "minibus" appropriations package that includes $1.2 trillion of funding for federal health, education and labor programs.
The House Rules Committee expanded the minibus this morning by folding in another package that provides funding for federal national securities, international affairs and financial services agencies and programs, such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The package includes many Medicare provisions. For a look seven, see the gallery accompanying this article.
What it means: If the current version of the spending bill becomes law, it could create new options for clients with Medicare coverage and keep other options in place.
If the CAA or another appropriations package fails to pass by Jan. 30, much of the federal government will shut down Feb. 1.
The process: House members began voting on the bill as this article went to digital press and was streaming video of the proceedings here.
The ultimate fate of the bill is unclear.
The resolution letting debate on the package begin passed by a 214-213, party-line vote, with all Republicans who participated supporting consideration, all Democrats opposing it and four Republicans not voting.
To become law, the spending bill also must get through the Senate, then receive approval from President Donald Trump or attract enough lawmaker support that Congress overrides a veto.
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