Contact Congress about H.R. 5860: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act
This bill kept most federal services running through November 17, 2023. It also added disaster aid and extended several aviation, health, Medicaid, and family service programs.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act is a House bill in Congress.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people and groups that rely on federal money or federal services. That includes federal workers, contractors, disaster survivors, travelers, airports, health clinics, hospitals, states, families, farmers, veterinarians, and animal drug makers. Most changes were temporary, but some animal drug fee rules were renewed through 2028.
Why this matters: This bill mattered because a shutdown could have started on October 1, 2023. The bill kept most federal work going while Congress kept debating full-year funding. It also helped avoid sudden gaps in disaster response, aviation operations, health programs, Medicaid hospital payments, and family services. At the same time, it pushed many hard choices only a few weeks into the future.
Key provisions in H.R. 5860
- Most federal agencies and programs kept running at 2023 funding levels through November 17, 2023. In general, agencies could not start new projects or raise production rates.
- Mandatory benefit payments continued through the same short period. That includes food aid under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, at the benefit levels already set by law.
- FEMA received an extra $16 billion for its Disaster Relief Fund. Of that, $2 million went to the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General, and $15.5 billion went to major disaster response and recovery, with the money available until spent.
- The National Flood Insurance Program stayed in place through November 17, 2023. The bill also extended certain Department of Homeland Security powers that protect federal computer systems from cyber threats through that date.
- Some programs could spend money faster for a short time when needed. These included WIC food aid, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, farm ownership loans, rural rental help, wildland firefighter base pay, and FEMA disaster work.
How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 5860
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about H.R. 5860
- What is H.R. 5860?
- This bill kept most federal services running through November 17, 2023. It also added disaster aid and extended several aviation, health, Medicaid, and family service programs.
- How do I support or oppose H.R. 5860?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about H.R. 5860?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain H.R. 5860 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
