From the National Council: Second Reconciliation Bill Unlikely

Message from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing:

Negotiations continued this week as Congress attempted to obtain a funding agreement for the Department of Homeland Security. However, it appears all but certain that Republicans and Democrats will be unable to reach a consensus before funding for the agency expires at midnight on Friday, Feb. 13. Without a deal, a partial government shutdown will occur, impacting only those programs and services Homeland Security administers. Programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including those overseen by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), would not be affected by the shutdown.

Elsewhere, President Trump this week said that he does not think another reconciliation package will be needed (subscription required) before the end of the current session of Congress. Trump said, “We’ve gotten everything passed that we need for four years,” primarily through the passage of H.R. 1 in July 2025. The comments came following congressional Republicans’ talks about what they would include in a follow-up to H.R. 1. While the president didn’t rule out more legislation, he signaled he’s focused on smaller bills, saying they may instead “perfect” what has already passed.