A stopgap spending bill is a temporary measure passed by Congress to keep the government funded for a short period of time while lawmakers negotiate a more detailed spending bill. The stopgap bill is usually passed when Congress is unable to agree on a full-year spending bill before the start of the fiscal year, which begins on October 1st. The stopgap bill maintains funding at current levels and allows the government to continue operating until a more comprehensive spending bill is passed. The stopgap bill can include provisions for specific programs or funding for disaster relief, as was the case in the 45-day stopgap funding bill passed in September 2023. The stopgap bill is a temporary solution to the spending fight and is likely to be quickly rekindled.