A 'minibus' is an appropriations package that combines a small number of federal spending bills—commonly three—into a single legislative measure.
October 28, 2025
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definition
Terminology describing one way Congress can group spending bills during the appropriations process.
Federal government shutdowns can cause federal employees to be furloughed and can interrupt pay for federal workers and service members when appropriations lapse.
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operational
Consequence of lapses in appropriations during funding gaps
Linking annual appropriations or short-term funding bills to unrelated policy priorities can prolong budget stalemates and contribute to government shutdowns.
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process
Political parties sometimes attach policy demands to funding measures, which can prevent timely passage of spending bills.