Special Diabetes Program for Indians gains temporary extension in deal to end government shutdown

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Indianz.Com Video: Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announces deal to reopen U.S. government

Monday, November 10, 2025

By Acee Agoyo

Indianz.Com

The Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) will regain funding, at least temporarily, under legislation to reopen the federal government.

The Senate Committee on Appropriations released the text of the Continuing Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026 on Sunday. The bill funds the federal government through January 30, 2026. [PDF: Bill Text of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026]

Included in the package is $53.145 million for the SDPI. The money covers the period from October 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026. [PDF: Extension divisions in the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026]

Press Release: Senate Committee on Appropriations announces deal to end U.S. government shutdown

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, announces legislation to reopen the federal government.

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The inclusion is necessary since funding for SDPI ran out on September 30, as noted by the National Indian Health Board (NIHB). The U.S. government then shut down on October 1 due to a lapse in federal appropriations.

Thanks to advance appropriations, a policy achievement secured by tribes where funding is provided ahead of time, the Indian Health Service (IHS) has continued to operate during the shutdown. But while the SDPI is administered by the IHS, the diabetes grants that go to tribes were not extended.

“As of today, the Indian Health Service will utilize remaining unobligated balances to keep the program funded for as long as possible,” the NIHB said of SDPI at the onset of the shutdown.

The U.S. Senate is now poised to revive SDPI and reopen the government with the Continuing Appropriations Act. The chamber is expected to pass the package as H.R.5371 as soon as Monday.

“I look forward to voting for this legislation and ending the unnecessary harm to the security of our families and our nation,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the Republican chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, said on Sunday.

Indianz.Com Audio: Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announces deal to reopen U.S. government

Separately, Collins is the lead sponsor of S.2211, the Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2025. The bill would extend SDPI for two years, providing it with $160 million for fiscal year 2026, $160 million for fiscal year 2027 and another $40 million to cover the period from October 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027.

Congress has otherwise been unable to pass long-term extensions of the SDPI since 2017. Additionally, funding has remained flat — at $150 million a year — since 2004.

Although the U.S. House of Representatives has not been in session since September 19, Republican leaders on Capitol Hill expect the chamber to take final action on H.R.5371 before the end of the week. Federal employees will then be able to get back to work following the record-breaking shutdown.

“Let’s get it done, and get it over to the House, so that we can get this government open,” Sen, John Thune (R-South Dakota), the Republican Senate Majority Leader, said on Monday.

As of Monday, the shutdown has lasted 41 days.