The Senate has approved the initial government spending plan in order to prevent a government shutdown.
The Senate narrowly avoided a partial shutdown by passing a six-bill package that will provide funding for various parts of the federal government until September.
The bill was passed by the upper chamber with a vote of 75 to 22, and it has now been sent to President Biden’s desk just before the midnight cutoff. It is anticipated that Mr. Biden will sign the bill on Saturday.
The Republicans’ request for amendment votes on immigration and other issues caused a delay in the passage of the bill and potentially pushed the final vote to Saturday, following the expiration of funding.
On Wednesday, the package was successfully passed with the majority of votes from Democrats. Despite opposition from conservatives who were against the previous funding extensions due to lack of desired spending cuts and policy additions, the package was able to reach the finish line.
On Friday evening, a message was released from the White House explaining that the Office of Management and Budget has stopped preparing for a government shutdown, as Congress has approved the necessary budget and the President is expected to sign the bill soon. Due to the fact that federal funds are spent and monitored on a daily basis, and the President is set to sign the bill tomorrow, government agencies are able to remain open and operate as usual tomorrow.
The most recent action to maintain the functioning of the government encompasses areas such as farming, power, ecological preservation, residential accommodations, transportation, former military personnel, and the Department of Justice. This will be in effect until the end of the fiscal year on September 30th.
Congress
There are two more weeks remaining.
The deadline for passing all six spending bills to fully fund the government for the same period has been extended to March 22. However, it is anticipated that the passage of the second package, which covers Defense, State, and Homeland Security departments, will face more opposition in Congress.
If legislators can overcome this obstacle, it would settle a conflict over spending that has consistently brought the government close to a shutdown since last autumn, and enable Congress to prioritize passing the budget for the upcoming year.
“The March 22 deadline is within our reach and we are making good progress towards meeting it,” stated Connecticut Representative Rosa DeLauro, the lead Democratic member of the House Appropriations Committee, on Wednesday.
DeLauro stated that the bills are currently at different points of development.
The package of six bills currently being proposed includes budget reductions for the FBI, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. These cuts were praised by House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana. However, the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative group, criticized the package for not addressing many important Republican policy objectives.
The Democratic party successfully defended against Republican efforts to limit access to abortion and also secured funding for infrastructure and programs for veterans. In addition, they fully financed a nutrition program for low-income women, infants, and children known as WIC.
Alan He provided information in his role as a reporter.
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Source: cbsnews.com