(The Center Square)–When House lawmakers return from their August recess in September, they’ll have to decide whether to remain on their partisan course in government funding negotiations, or unite to pass all 12 appropriations bills on time, starting with the Senate’s minibus.
Right before leaving for their own recess, senators passed a bipartisan but long-fought over minibus containing three out of the dozen appropriations bills that provide money for federal agencies to spend in fiscal year 2026, which begins Oct. 1.
The package allocated more than $153 billion for military construction and Veterans Affairs — as well as hundreds of billions in advance funding and mandatory spending — $27 billion for agriculture and rural development, and more than $2.2 billion for the Legislative branch.
Appropriations bills are typically passed individually. The unorthodox move is the result of Democrats stalling on confirming the rest of President Donald Trump’s civilian nominees and by doing so preventing progress on the funding appropriations process.
Over 80 senators, however, ultimately voted for the minibus due to the bipartisan content of the bills, while the House has passed only two appropriations bills, which Republicans crafted without Democrats’ input, on mostly partisan lines.
Given the impending risk of a government shutdown if the appropriations bills fail to pass, Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., is hoping House Republicans will accept the minibus without making changes.
The minibus consists of funding bills crafted by the Appropriations subcommittees on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; and Legislative Branch.
The MilCon-VA bill provides $133.3 billion for non-defense discretionary funding and $19.8 billion in defense spending for military construction and housing.
It also authorizes $300.4 billion in mandatory spending on federal programs for veterans, which is not officially included in the overall bill cost, since the Congressional Budget Office assumes renewing “current policy” spending does not add to the federal deficit.
Additionally, the bill provides advance funding for veterans in fiscal year 2027, including $122.3 billion for medical care and $262 billion for benefits.
While the MilCon-VA bill might receive bipartisan approval, the $27.1 billion Ag-FDA bill will likely receive pushback from some House Republicans, given its refusal of multiple budget requests from President Donald Trump.
Among other things, the bill gives $7 billion to the Food and Drug Administration, nearly $1.7 billion for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and $1.74 billion for two international food aid programs. Trump had requested that funding levels for the FDA, NIFA and global food aid be slashed.
The bill also fully funds all government nutritional assistance programs, including WIC, CSFP, SNAP and school meals programs. The funding for SNAP may clash with provisions in the recently-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which directed states to shoulder a greater portion of SNAP funding.
The third piece of legislation in the minibus – the Legislative Branch bill – funds both chambers of Congress, the United States Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office, among other organizations connected to the legislature.
Additionally, the bill prohibits members from acquiring telecommunications equipment from Huawei or ZTE Corporation and from purchasing drones manufactured in China by USCP and AOC.
House Republicans will likely take issue with some of the funding levels in the bill, particularly the Senate’s funding of GAO, which the lower chamber’s draft bill had gutted.
If lawmakers are unable to work quickly and bipartisanly on the remaining government funding bills, they will likely have to pass a Continuing Resolution, or CR, to keep government funding on cruise control until all the bills pass. That would make it the fourth time in a row that Congress punted on completing the appropriations process.
Three Reasons a Coffee Gift Set From This Christian Company Is Perfect for Christmas
When you’re searching for a Christmas gift that’s meaningful, useful, and rooted in faith, you don’t want to settle for anything generic. This season is filled with noise — mass-produced products, last-minute picks, and trends that fade as quickly as they appear. But one gift stands apart because it blends genuine quality with a message that matters: a coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee.
This small Christian-owned company has become a favorite among believers who want to support faith-driven businesses while giving friends and family something they’ll actually enjoy. Here are three reasons a Promised Grounds Coffee gift set may be the most thoughtful and impactful present you give this year.
1. It’s Truly Delicious Coffee
Too many “gift-worthy” coffees look beautiful in the package but disappoint when the cup is poured. Promised Grounds takes the opposite approach — exceptional taste first, thoughtful presentation second.
Their beans are sourced with care, roasted in small batches, and crafted to bring out a rich, smooth flavor profile that appeals to both casual drinkers and true coffee lovers. Whether someone enjoys bold, dark roasts or lighter, more delicate blends, every sip reflects quality that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest specialty brands.
Simply put: this coffee is good. Really good. Some say it’s absolutely fantastic. If you want a gift that won’t be re-gifted, ignored, or shoved in a cabinet, this is it.
2. It Spreads the Word While Serving a Real Purpose
There are many Christian gifts that are meaningful… but not exactly practical. There are also useful gifts that have nothing to do with faith. Promised Grounds Coffee bridges both worlds beautifully.
Each gift set delivers an encouraging, faith-centered message through its packaging and presentation — a simple but powerful reminder of God’s goodness during the Christmas season. The cups are especially popular and serve as a daily reminder of the blessings from our Lord. At the same time, the product itself is something people will actually use and appreciate every single day.
It’s a gift that uplifts the spirit and fills the mug. A gift that points loved ones toward Scripture while still being part of the normal rhythm of life. And in a culture that increasingly pushes faith to the margins, giving a gift that quietly but confidently honors Christ can make a deeper impact than you might expect.
3. It’s Affordable, Valuable, and Elegantly Presented
Many people want to give something meaningful without breaking their Christmas budget. Promised Grounds Coffee strikes that perfect balance — the sets look and feel premium, but the price remains accessible.
The packaging is classy, clean, and gift-ready, making it ideal for:
- Family members of all ages
- Co-workers or employees
- Church friends or small-group leaders
- Hosts, neighbors, and last-minute gift needs
It’s the kind of gift that feels more expensive than it is — and more thoughtful than most of what you’ll find on store shelves.
The Perfect Blend of Faith, Flavor, and Christmas Cheer
A coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee checks every box: a gift that tastes amazing, conveys your faith, supports a Christian business, and brings daily enjoyment to the person who receives it. In a season when so many gifts are forgotten, this one stands out for all the right reasons.
If you want a Christmas present that reflects your values and delivers genuine joy, Promised Grounds Coffee is the perfect place to start.