H.R. 9770 explained · 119th Congress · Pending in Congress
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027
Cosponsors: none · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-15
Introduced: 2026-07-18
Latest action (2026-07-22): Received in the Senate.
What H.R. 9770 does, in plain terms
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027 This bill provides continuing FY2027 appropriations for federal agencies and extends various expiring programs and authorities. Specifically, the bill provides continuing FY2027 appropriations to federal agencies through the earlier of December 4, 2026, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2027 appropriations bills have not been enacted when FY2027 begins on October 1, 2026. The CR funds most programs and activities at the FY2026 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility or additional appropriations for various programs. For example, the bill includes exceptions for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); Small Business Administration loan programs; the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund; the Indian Health Service; and wildfire suppression activities. In addition, the bill extends several expiring programs, authorities, and restrictions, including the Department of Agriculture’s livestock mandatory price reporting program, the National Flood Insurance Program, limits on pay increases for the Vice President and certain senior political appointees, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, the authority to waive certain pay limitations that apply to wildland firefighters and other wildland fire personnel, the authority for the District of Columbia to spend local funds, and the freeze on cost-of-living adjustments for Members of Congress. The bill also provides the customary payments to the beneficiaries of the late Representative David Scott and the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.
Constitution Index
“VFA Constitution grade”
Constitutionally sound
Graded 2026-10-08
SI-generated grade · five published checks · not individually reviewed by a person · methodology
Routine continuing resolution exercising the express appropriations power in Article I, Section 9, Clause 7. It preserves existing federal operations, adds no new restriction on rights or private conduct, and takes no property.
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✓ Passes · Enumerated powers
Congress has express authority for this act under Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 to pay the debts and provide for the general welfare, and Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 which requires that no money be drawn from the Treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law. A continuing resolution funding federal agencies is the core exercise of the appropriations power. -
✓ Passes · Bill of Rights
No provision restricts speech, religion, press, assembly under First Amendment, arms under Second Amendment, or imposes searches under Fourth Amendment. Funding at prior-year levels and extension of existing programs does not abridge any right in Amendments 1-10. -
✓ Passes · Individual sovereignty
The bill does not restrict any person in use of person, property, speech, labor, or belief. It directs government funding levels under Article I, Section 8 and imposes no mandate, prohibition, or penalty on private conduct, so no justification burden is triggered. -
✓ Passes · Decentralization
Funding existing federal agencies and operations cannot be performed by an individual, county, or state alone. The bill maintains the status quo at FY2026 levels through December 4, 2026 rather than creating new federal control over matters reserved by the Tenth Amendment, so it does not consolidate upward beyond the minimum necessary. -
✓ Passes · Due process and takings
No deprivation of life, liberty, or property without notice and hearing under Fifth Amendment Due Process Clause, and no taking of private property for public use without just compensation under Fifth Amendment Takings Clause. Death gratuities cited are customary payments authorized by law, not confiscations.
Sources: Congress.gov: HR 9770 summary
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