President Joe Biden signed a three-month stopgap funding measure into law on Saturday, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown after a whirlwind of last-minute negotiations in Congress.
Both the House and Senate passed the measure with overwhelming bipartisan support late Friday and into Saturday morning, capping off a chaotic week on Capitol Hill that highlighted the influence of President-elect Donald Trump over lawmakers.
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The funding bill extends government operations through March 14 and includes:
- A one-year extension of the Farm Bill.
- Over $100 billion in disaster relief for regions devastated by hurricanes.
In a statement following the signing, President Biden emphasized the importance of compromise.
“This agreement represents a compromise, which means neither side got everything it wanted,” Biden said. “But it rejects the accelerated pathway to a tax cut for billionaires that Republicans sought, and it ensures the government can continue to operate at full capacity.”
He added, “That’s good news for the American people, especially as families gather to celebrate this holiday season.”
The agreement comes after an earlier bipartisan proposal was derailed by demands from President-elect Trump, who insisted Congress raise the debt limit before the end of the year.
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In response, lawmakers introduced a revised bill that included a two-year suspension of the debt limit, but the measure failed in the House on Thursday night, forcing the debt limit provision to be removed.
With the government funded through March, lawmakers now face the challenge of addressing the debt limit and long-term budgetary issues early in 2025. President-elect Trump’s incoming administration is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping those discussions.
As the holiday season begins, the stopgap measure provides temporary relief for federal agencies, employees, and the American public, ensuring continued government operations during a critical time.
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