Senate Appropriations Committee Leaders Unveil Continuing Resolution

The bill extends Surface Transportation Programs but does not include Advance Appropriations

In advance of the September 30, 2026 deadline for government funding, Senate Appropriations Committee Leaders released “S. ____, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027”. In general, the four-month Continuing Resolution (CR) funds Federal government programs, including programs of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act, through December 11, 2026. However, the bill does not include advance appropriations, a form of guaranteed funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

On July 21, the House passed H.R. 9770 to continue government funding through December 4. The House CR does not include an authorizing extension of the Highway Trust Fund programs or advance appropriations. 

The House is expected to act on the Senate CR when it returns late August to avoid a full Federal Government shutdown and expiration of the IIJA on September 30, 2026.

APTA strongly encourages APTA Members to reach out to their Members of Congress and urge them to provide full funding for public transit and passenger rail in FY 2027.

Public Transportation

The Senate CR extends Highway Trust Fund contract authority programs and programs funded by regular appropriations at FY 2026 levels. The bill, however, does not continue advance appropriations, which currently provide $4.25 billion annually for public transit and $13.2 billion annually for passenger rail programs.

Without advance appropriations, the CR cuts overall Federal public transit investment by 20 percent from current FY 2026 funding levels. Passenger rail investment is cut 83 percent and will receive no guaranteed funding in the form of contract authority or advance appropriations.

In a July 31 letter, APTA detailed the programs that will be disproportionately cut if advance appropriations are not provided in FY 2027, including Buses and Bus Facilities Grants, State of Good Repair Formula Grants, Capital Investment Grants (CIG), and Federal Railroad Administration programs. APTA also joined multiple coalition letters urging continuation of advance appropriations.

Capital Investment Grants 

Section 149 of the CR extends the disbursement authority of certain CIG projects that face impending lapses. APTA advocated for this provision, which was also included in the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) list of “anomalies” for the CR.

Office of Management and Budget Proposed Rule on Federal Grants

Section 157 of the CR prohibits OMB from implementing its proposed rule “Regulation of Federal Financial Assistance”, through December 11, 2026. APTA advocated for this provision to be included.

The OMB’s proposed rule would amend procedures for Federal grant management under 2 CFR 200 and other parts of 2 CFR. View APTA’s letter to OMB highlighting its serious concerns with OMB’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Federal Financial Assistance, and urging withdrawal.

View S. ___, Division A Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027.

View S.___, Extension Divisions, 2027.

View the Section-by-Section of the Senate CR.

View H.R. 9770, Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027.

View the Section-by-Section of the House CR.