The House of Representatives voted late Friday to avert a government shutdown and approve tens of billions of dollars in disaster relief, securing a bipartisan agreement just hours before the midnight deadline.
The bill passed by a vote of 366-34, with one member voting present. A majority of Democrats supported the measure, alongside a significant number of Republicans. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to pass easily before being sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.
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Due to procedural timelines, the bill likely won’t reach the president’s desk until the weekend, but government functions are expected to continue with minimal disruption.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Government Funding: Extends current funding levels through March 14, 2025.
- Disaster Relief: Allocates $100 billion to aid recovery efforts for hurricanes and other natural disasters.
- Farm Aid: Includes $10 billion in assistance for farmers affected by recent adverse weather conditions.
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Notably, the bill does not address the debt ceiling, an issue that was at the center of intense negotiations earlier in the week.
The Senate is expected to approve the measure swiftly, ensuring that government operations remain funded and critical disaster relief efforts can proceed without interruption.
With the holiday season approaching and a new administration on the horizon, the passage of the bill brings temporary stability, but contentious issues like the debt ceiling and tax reform remain unresolved. These topics are likely to dominate the early days of Trump’s presidency and the new Republican-controlled Congress.
The president-elect has signaled his intent to push for bold legislative changes, setting the stage for what could be a transformative, if turbulent, year in Washington.
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Previous report: House Republican leaders have announced an internal agreement on a stopgap spending bill, also known as a continuing resolution (CR), to fund the government through March 2025, averting a looming shutdown set for Friday night.
The proposed CR includes $110 billion in disaster relief for victims of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, along with a one-year extension of the farm bill, according to multiple reports.
However, it notably omits a debt ceiling hike, a key priority for President-elect Donald Trump.
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Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the omission of a debt ceiling measure. Writing on Truth Social early Friday morning, he said, “Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling. Without this, we should never make a deal. Remember, the pressure is on whoever is President.”
The exclusion of a debt ceiling provision comes after a similar version of the spending bill, which included a debt ceiling increase, was rejected by the House on Thursday in a 233-174 vote.
House lawmakers are expected to vote on the new CR Friday evening under a suspension of House rules, requiring a two-thirds majority for passage.
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“We will not have a government shutdown,” Speaker of the House Mike Johnson told Fox News after announcing the funding agreement. “We will meet our obligations for our farmers, for disaster victims all over the country, and for ensuring that military and essential services—and everyone who relies upon the federal government for a paycheck—are paid over the holidays.”
The previous version of the spending bill faced opposition from 38 Republicans, including Representatives Chip Roy (R-TX) and Thomas Massie (R-KY), who criticized the inclusion of a debt ceiling increase without corresponding spending cuts. Their continued opposition may pose a challenge to achieving the necessary support for the new CR.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has yet to comment on whether Democrats will support the revised spending bill.
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