- Details
- By Aminah Syed
- Policy and Law
The U.S. Senate voted 90-6 Saturday to pass the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027, a stopgap spending bill that would fund the federal government through Dec. 11.
The bill would also delay the Office of Management and Budget’s proposed overhaul of federal grant rules, a change tribal leaders say could disrupt funding across Indian Country.
Under Section 157, the continuing resolution would also bar OMB from issuing or finalizing the “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance” or any substantially similar rule through Dec. 11. The provision would prevent proposed overhaul from taking effect at the start of the new fiscal year Oct. 1, giving tribes and other federal funding recipients additional time before OMB can finalize the changes.
OMB released the draft proposal in late May. The proposed rule changes would overhaul 2 CFR Part 200, known as the Uniform Guidance, converting the government-wide grants framework from guidance into binding regulation and adding new expectations for internal controls, risk assessments, payment documentation and financial reporting, Tribal Business News previously reported.
The Uniform Guidance establishes government-wide requirements for administering federal grants and cooperative agreements, including those received by tribal governments and Native-serving organizations. Federal awards support housing, public safety, broadband, transportation, environmental protection and community development across Indian Country.
The Senate measure must still be reconciled with a House version that passed July 21 on a 220-205 vote. The House bill would fund the government through Dec. 4 and does not include the provision delaying OMB’s grant rule, while the Senate version would extend funding through Dec. 11.
