Disclaimer: Many of the developments discussed below are fluid and may change rapidly. The information is relevant and accurate as of 9:00am EDT on November 24, 2025.
The 43-day federal government shutdown ended on November 12th, with a three-bill “minibus” with funding for Military Construction-VA, Agriculture-FDA, and the Legislative Branch. The bill includes a continuing resolution (CR) until January 30th, 2026, meaning that Congress must pass the nine remaining funding packages by the end of the CR to avoid another shutdown.
For more information on the federal shutdown, view our Capitol Compass – Special Edition Government Shutdown in Effect
Takeaway: The longest government shutdown in U.S history has ended, but Congress faces an uphill battle to pass all funding bills by the end of the CR on January 30th.
Redistricting
Several states have entered the redistricting battle in preparation for 2026 midterm elections that will decide which party controls the House of Representatives. Currently, Republicans hold a single-digit majority in Congress.
- The Department of Justice (DOJ) sued to block new congressional districts approved by California voters through Proposition 50 which adds five potential Democratic seats to Congress. Notably, the DOJ has not sued to block the voting maps of Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina indicating that the legal battle over the congressional voting map is strictly partisan.
- On November 21, Justice Samuel Alito granted Texas a temporary hold to pause a decision by the lower court to block Texas from using a redrawn congressional district map in favor of the Republican party. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the new map that could add five seats for the Republican party in the House of Representatives.
- In Utah, a judge rejected a congressional map created by state Republicans and adopted a new voting map that creates a Democrat-leaning district.
- The Republican Leader of the Indiana State Senate announced that the chamber will not meet in December to vote on a new congressional map for the state, citing a lack of support from members. However, President Trump has continued to push for redistricting in Indiana.
- Other states considering new congressional maps include Florida and Maryland.
Takeaway: Federal courts have delivered significant blows to Republican voting maps, and several states seem reluctant to enter the redistricting battle as California, Texas, Utah, Missouri, and North Carolina face immediate legal challenges.
Legislation to Watch
Several significant pieces of legislation are now being considered after the federal government reopened, and House members returned to Washington, D.C.
- A group of bipartisan House members announced legislation to extend credits for the Affordable Care Act for two years. The ACA credits were the center of the government shutdown fight as the enhanced subsidies are set to expire on December 31, 2025. While Senate Majority Leader John Thune promised a vote on extending ACA credits, Speaker Mike Johnson did not. The proposed legislation would extend the tax credits through 2027 for people earning less than $200,000 annually for a family of four.
- The Senate Agricultural Committee released its anticipated portion of a crypto market bill, focusing on clarifying oversight of the cryptocurrency industry.
- The House Administration Committee held a hearing to consider bipartisan legislation that would ban stock trading by members of Congress and their families.
Takeaway: Extending ACA credits will continue to be a central conversation as Congress works to pass federal funding by the January 30th CR deadline.
