On November 12, Congress passed and the president signed into law a government funding package (H.R. 5371) to end the 43-day government shutdown. The bill provides a short-term extension of federal funding through January 30, 2026 for the federal government and other provisions.

Within this measure is a three-bill ‘minibus’ that provides a full year of FY26 funding for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Military Construction and the legislative branch. The bill also included a one-year extension of the Farm Bill through September 30, 2025.

With a fast-approaching January deadline, Congress is set to take up an additional funding package that might include the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS); Education; Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS); and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD). However, this package faces an uphill battle as weeks of negotiations and debate will likely extend the timeline.

NCBA advocates for rural development priorities alongside NACo and RRAN

Twelve governors recognize cooperatives during National Co-op Month

Key priorities for cooperatives in FY 2026 Appropriations Include:

• $5 million for the USDA’s Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) and $3 million for the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) Programs (Passed)
• $4.2 million for the USDA’s Rural Energy Savings Program (Passed)
• $324 million for the CDFI Fund (Proposed)
• $2 million for the Department of Labor’s Employee Ownership Initiative to provide Technical Assistance Grants (Proposed)
• $18.5 Million for the Cooperative Development Program (Proposed)
• SBA Establishment of an Employee Ownership and Cooperatives Promotions Program through Small Business Development Centers (Proposed)
• SBA Report on Barriers for Cooperatives to Access Lending Programs (Proposed)

Grassroots advocacy is critical to ensuring elected officials understand that cooperatives are a time-tested solution to the most pressing issues of our time. There are no better advocates for better policies to support co-ops than the member-owners doing the work within their communities. Our advocacy team encourages members and co-ops across the country to engage with the members of Congress, state legislators and local policymakers, including inviting them to your co-op.

For any questions or to learn how to get involved in advocacy efforts, email advocacy@ncba.coop.