Waukesha Times

Wisconsin State Representative Scott Fitzgerald said that the "short-term" Continuing Resolution (CR), known as the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, provides time to finalize long-term funding bills while ensuring the government remains operational. He remarked that if "Democrats force a shutdown," they would be responsible.

"This short-term, clean CR gives us the time we need to finish the work of passing long-term funding bills that reduce spending," said U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wi). "I'll continue working with my colleagues to ensure we keep the government open and move responsible spending bills forward in a transparent process. House Republicans, Senate Republicans, and President Trump support this measure. If Democrats force a shutdown, it will be on them and it will show their hypocrisy after rubber-stamping every CR under President Biden while never prioritizing fiscal responsibility."

The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2026 offers temporary funding for federal agencies until November 21, 2025, or until permanent fiscal year 2026 appropriations are enacted. This measure prevents a government shutdown if regular appropriations bills are not passed by October 1, 2025. Most programs will continue at fiscal year 2025 levels, with exceptions for additional appropriations for specific needs such as enhanced security for members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, and executive branch officials. The act also permits the District of Columbia to spend local funds in alignment with its fiscal 2026 budget, according to Congress.gov.

Fitzgerald emphasized the importance of maintaining government operations through November 21, 2025. "At this point in time, the responsible choice is to keep the government running through November 21, 2025. As President Trump has echoed, a shutdown would only create uncertainty, weaken our national security, and stall the progress we’ve made in restoring regular order to the appropriations process," he said in a press release.

According to Congress.gov, the act extends expiring programs and authorities across several sectors. These include public health initiatives; Medicare and Medicaid programs; veterans’ services; the U.S. Grain Standards Act; Department of Agriculture livestock mandatory price reporting program; Department of Homeland Security programs related to cybersecurity and unmanned aircraft system threats; special assessments on nonindigent individuals or entities convicted of certain sexual abuse or human trafficking offenses; Commodity Futures Trading Commission whistleblower program authorities; and the Defense Production Act of 1950 supporting national defense production priorities.

Fitzgerald represents Wisconsin’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. His previous roles include serving in the Wisconsin State Senate from 1995 to 2021 as both Majority Leader and Minority Leader. He is an alumnus of Hustisford High School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Additionally, Fitzgerald served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 27 years before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.