U.S. Federal Government Shutdown Finally Ends
The 43-day U.S. federal government shutdown ended on Nov. 12 as Congress passed, and President Trump signed, a continuing resolution to fund the government through Jan. 30, 2026.
Passage came after eight Senate Democrats announced that they had come to an agreement with Senate Republicans to reopen the government and pass a CR. As part of the deal, Senate Republican leaders agreed to allow a vote on extending premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act plans in December, though it is unclear whether the tax credits extensions will pass the Senate and House. The Senate passed the CR on a 60-40 vote, while the House passed it on a 222-209 vote.
Lawmakers are now expected to get to work on passing and negotiating agreements on fiscal year 2026 funding bills with the goal of final passage by the new Jan. 30 deadline. It is unclear whether Republicans and Democrats will be able to agree on full FY26 funding bills or will instead pass a CR to fund the federal government through the remainder of FY26.
For educational institutions, federal agencies have now resumed consideration of new grant approvals and key support for low-income students. Additionally, many U.S. Department of Education employees who were laid off during the shutdown were reinstated due to language included in the continuing resolution.
We will talk about what’s next post-shutdown during the next CASE Washington Update webinar this Friday, Nov. 21, from 1 to 2 p.m. (ET).
Learn How the New U.S. Tax Law Will Impact Charitable Giving
Is your advancement team ready for the new tax law changes in the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act? Join Brian Flahaven, CASE’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, for one of two workshops that will focus on how charitable giving to schools, colleges, and universities will be affected by the new tax law.
- Charitable Giving and the New Tax Law
Online Workshop
Friday, Dec. 5, 1 to 3 p.m. (ET)
Note individual and institutional registration rates available.
- What’s New? What’s Next? CASE Advocacy Briefing and Workshop
In-Person Workshop
Friday, Dec. 12, 2 to 4:30 p.m. (ET)
Boston
We hope to see you online or in Boston!
About the author(s)
Brian Flahaven is vice president for strategic partnerships at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the global association for advancement professionals at all levels who work in alumni relations, communications, and development at schools, colleges, and universities. In this role, Brian oversees CASE’s global advocacy, corporate relations, fundraising, CASE@Campus training, and the Latin America region. Brian also serves as Chair of the Charitable Giving Coalition, a national coalition of public charities and private and community foundations, faith communities and other faith-based charities, and nonprofit organizations committed to expanding and preserving the charitable tax deduction in the United States.
Prior to joining CASE, Brian was the manager of government relations and public policy at the Council on Foundations. He also served as the first Public Policy and Philanthropy Fellow at the Council of Michigan Foundations.
Brian received his bachelor’s degree in political science, economics and history at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Master of Public Policy from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.
In 2016, Brian earned the designation of Certified Association Executive from the American Society of Association Executives. Brian was named to the NonProfit Times Power & Influence Top 50 in 2023.