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The House passed S. 356, a bill that continues federal payments to rural counties with large amounts of federal land to support local schools and roads.
This vote was to pass the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025. This legislation extends a program that provides money to rural communities that have a lot of national forests or other federal land within their borders. Because local governments cannot collect property taxes on federal land, this program compensates them so they can keep their schools open and maintain their roads. This vote was held under a process called 'suspension of the rules.' In the House, this is typically used for bills that have broad support from both parties. To pass this way, the bill needs a two-thirds majority instead of the usual simple majority. It is a faster way to pass legislation but requires significant agreement between Democrats and Republicans. The bill passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, receiving nearly 400 votes. Because this bill had already passed the Senate, this House vote was the final step before it was sent to the President to be signed into law. This ensures that rural counties will continue to receive these critical funds through the 2026 fiscal year.
Since the bill already passed the Senate, this House passage sent the measure to the President to be signed into law.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This bill ensures continued financial stability for many rural communities that host federal lands, preventing significant budget shortfalls for schools and infrastructure.
Who’s affected. Rural Residents: Ensures continued funding for local schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. · Local Governments: Provides predictable revenue to replace property taxes that cannot be collected on federal land. · Students: Supports public education budgets in counties with significant federal forest land.
Democrats. Every voting Democrat supported the measure to continue funding for rural education and infrastructure.
Republicans. The vast majority of Republicans voted in favor, though five members opposed the spending extension.
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Dec 9, 2025
The House passed S.
356, a bill that continues federal payments to rural counties with large amounts of federal land to support local schools and roads.
A 'suspension of the rules' is a fast-track procedure used for bills with broad support. It skips several steps and limits debate but requires a higher threshold—two-thirds of members present—to pass.
Since the bill already passed the Senate, this House passage sent the measure to the President to be signed into law.
This bill ensures continued financial stability for many rural communities that host federal lands, preventing significant budget shortfalls for schools and infrastructure.
The vote showed nearly universal support across both parties, with only a handful of Republican members voting against it.
Every voting Democrat supported the measure to continue funding for rural education and infrastructure.
The vast majority of Republicans voted in favor, though five members opposed the spending extension.
The one independent member voted in favor of the bill.