The U.S. Senate, led by a Democratic majority, has greenlit a short-term stopgap spending bill on Thursday, a move aimed at preventing a partial government shutdown. The approval comes after the Republican-controlled House of Representatives swiftly backed the bill less than 36 hours before funding would have lapsed.
The bipartisan measure, passed by a 77-13 vote in the Senate, is now slated to proceed to President Joe Biden’s desk for final approval. The bill outlines deadlines for funding one portion of the government by March 8 and the remaining section by March 22.
President Biden welcomed the passage of the bill, highlighting its importance in avoiding a detrimental shutdown while cautioning that it offers only a temporary solution rather than a long-term fix.
Earlier in the House, a resounding 320-99 vote saw 207 Democrats and 113 Republicans supporting the short-term stopgap measure. This extension provides Congress with additional time to reach an agreement on funding for the full fiscal year, which commenced on October 1.
Approximately two months have elapsed since Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, reached a consensus on a $1.59 trillion discretionary spending level for the fiscal year.
Despite procedural maneuvers that necessitated significant Democratic backing to secure passage, Johnson’s reliance on such tactics could trigger dissatisfaction among hardline conservatives. Additionally, 97 “no” votes from within his own 219-member Republican conference may pose challenges for the speaker as he tackles six full-year appropriations bills next week, along with the contentious issue of Ukraine aid.
House Republicans, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, anticipate addressing aid to Ukraine, Israel, and U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific following the completion of the additional spending bills by March 22. McCaul expressed optimism about the bipartisan passage of the $95 billion national security bill, previously approved by the Senate.
Meanwhile, President Biden urged House Republicans to prioritize national security and expedite the passage of the bipartisan bill.
Despite the temporary funding bill’s passage, potential battles loom over the coming weeks regarding funding levels for various programs, particularly those targeted for reduction by conservatives.
Hardline Republicans had urged Speaker Johnson to leverage a shutdown to compel Democrats to accept conservative policy measures. However, Representative Chip Roy indicated a shift in strategy, suggesting an alternative spending bill to fund the government through Sept. 30 while cutting non-defense spending but maintaining levels for defense and veterans benefits.
Republican Representative Patrick McHenry emphasized that the House Republicans’ acceptance of spending legislation reflects an acknowledgment of reality and a desire to move forward without further delay.
The repetitive brinkmanship over funding decisions has drawn concerns from major ratings agencies, impacting the creditworthiness of the nation amidst a soaring national debt exceeding $34 trillion.
