The U.S. House of Representatives has moved through the fiscal year (FY) 2027 appropriations process at its fastest pace in years, while the Senate is taking a very different approach. In a new insight, Director of Fiscal Policy Jordan Haring explains where the FY 2027 appropriations process stands and how it may proceed going forward.

Key points:

• The House has completed committee action on all 12 regular appropriations bills, and two of the 12 bills have been passed by the full House, while the Senate has yet to begin formal consideration of the 12 bills as bipartisan negotiations over topline discretionary spending levels continue.
• Significant funding and policy differences remain between the two chambers; the House bills reduce nondefense spending, increase defense spending, and include numerous policy riders that are unlikely to advance unchanged in the Senate.
• A continuing resolution is the most likely path forward, though shutdown risks remain; given the differences between the House and Senate and the compressed legislative calendar, it is unlikely Congress will complete work on all 12 appropriations bills before FY 2027 begins on October 1.

Read the analysis.