The Senate passed a short-term spending bill on Wednesday that would prevent a partial government shutdown for at least two more months.
In an 87-11 vote, senators overwhelmingly approved sending the legislation to the desk of President Biden, who is expected to sign the measure into law before a midnight deadline Friday to keep federal operations running.
“I want to thank my colleagues for voting to keep the government open,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters after the vote.
The temporary government funding package was opposed by one Democrat, Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and 10 Republicans, Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Mike Crapo (R-Tenn.). -Idaho), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott ( R-Fla.) and JD Vance (R-Ohio).
The legislation keeps federal spending at current levels for about two more months while negotiations on a long-term package continue.
The bill’s architect, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), described his plan, which the lower house easily passed on Tuesday in a 336-95 vote, as a “staircase” continuing resolution.
“Friday night there will be no government shutdown,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech ahead of the final vote.ZUMAPRESS.com
The bill would allow part of the government to be funded until January 19, 2024, including the departments of Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs, while the rest, including funding for the Department of Defense, would expire on February 2. , 2024.
This gives Congress two deadlines to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends on September 30, 2024.
By staggered deadlines, there is a risk of a partial government shutdown if legislation is not passed by any of the target dates.
The Senate met late into the night to pass the bill by an overwhelming 87-11. AFP via Getty Images Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell vowed in a floor speech that Republicans will continue to push for policy changes on the US border with Mexico.AP
Senate leaders of both parties had endorsed Johnson’s plan ahead of Wednesday’s vote.
“Everybody is really ready to vote and fight another day,” said Sen. John Thune (RS.D.), the No. 1 Republican. 2 in the Senate, early Wednesday.
Schumer described the continuing resolution as “far from perfect,” but said he would support it because it would avoid a shutdown and “would do so without any draconian cuts or poison pills” that some conservatives are demanding.
The CR is “clean,” meaning it contains no spending cuts or raises or controversial policy measures that would offend Democrats or Republicans.
It also does not include funding for Israel, Ukraine, humanitarian aid or border security that Biden requested last month in a $106 billion request to Congress.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who drafted the plan, has vowed that he will not support any further stopgap funding measures, known as continuing resolutions.ZUMAPRESS.com
Johnson has pledged not to support any further stopgap funding measures, and predicts a spending “fight” with the Senate in 2024.
The House has passed seven of the 12 annual appropriations bills that fund the government for a full fiscal year, and the Senate has passed just three.
Johnson has sent House lawmakers home until after Thanksgiving and the Senate can now skip town, too.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
