A stopgap spending bill is a temporary measure passed by Congress to keep the government funded for a short period of time when lawmakers are unable to agree on a long-term spending plan. It is typically used as a last resort to avoid a government shutdown, which can occur when funding for federal programs and agencies runs out. Stopgap bills are usually passed to buy more time to negotiate detailed legislation that sets funding for federal programs. These bills can include provisions for disaster relief, extensions of expiring programs, and other measures that are deemed necessary to keep the government running until a long-term spending plan can be agreed upon. Stopgap bills are often controversial and can be the subject of intense political debate, as lawmakers from both parties may have different priorities and goals for federal spending.