The United States narrowly avoided a government shutdown early Saturday as the Senate approved a funding bill just hours after it passed in the House of Representatives.
Key Developments
- Senate Approval at the Deadline
- The Senate vote, which occurred just 30 minutes past midnight (05:00 GMT), suspended the looming government shutdown.
- A shutdown could have furloughed hundreds of public sector employees, frozen social assistance programs, and closed daycare centers just before the holiday season.
- House of Representatives Action
- Led by House Speaker Mike Johnson, the House passed the funding bill late Friday evening with a 366-34 vote majority.
- The plan provides temporary funding for federal operations and disaster relief but excludes President-elect Donald Trump’s demand for a debt ceiling increase in the new year.
Speaker Johnson’s Statements
Speaker Johnson emphasized the importance of fulfilling Congress’s obligations, stating:
“We will not have a government shutdown.”
He also assured the public that federal operations would remain uninterrupted during the Christmas season. Johnson later added that the outcome was “a good result for the country,” noting that Trump expressed satisfaction with the resolution.
Trump’s Position
Earlier on Friday, Donald Trump reiterated his demand for a debt ceiling increase, warning that failure to include it would justify a government shutdown. Despite this, the bipartisan agreement was achieved without incorporating the demand.
Next Steps
The bill is now expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden later on Saturday, solidifying the agreement and ensuring federal operations continue smoothly.