Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke voted Thursday in favor of a short-term measure to keep the federal government funded and avoid a shutdown, as Congress works to finalize annual spending bills.
The measure, known as a Continuing Resolution (CR), extends government funding through November 21, giving lawmakers roughly seven more weeks to complete the 12 appropriations bills that set federal spending levels each year. Without action, funding would have lapsed at the end of September, triggering a partial government shutdown that could have furloughed federal workers and disrupted services across the country.
“I voted for today’s 51-day continuing resolution because it gives Congress a set amount of time to tackle the remaining departmental funding bills while keeping our borders secure, our veterans healthy and government working for the American people,” Zinke said in a statement.
The former Interior Secretary criticized past “megabills” passed under Democratic leadership, arguing they contributed to excessive spending and what he called “woke government programs.” He said Republicans are working to advance individual spending bills and urged Senate Democrats to negotiate in good faith.
“All twelve House appropriations bills have passed out of committee, three have passed the floor, and now we have a month and a half to finish the job,” Zinke said. “It’s time to step up and govern responsibly.”
Zinke was recently appointed as a House Majority Conferee for the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Military Construction–Veterans Affairs, and Legislative Branch appropriations bills. Conferees help reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of legislation before sending a final package to the President for approval.
The stopgap bill is the latest in a series of short-term fixes Congress has used in recent years to avoid shutdowns while broader budget negotiations continue. Lawmakers now face a November 21 deadline to reach agreement on longer-term funding or risk another standoff.