After a year of negotiations and a series of stopgap measures, Congress finally passed a sweeping government funding bill, marking a significant milestone for the Biden administration.
Article Source: nbcnews.com
President Joe Biden signed legislation on Saturday to fund the government through September. This marks the end of a bumpy journey filled with obstacles and arguments between politicians. The bill, totaling $1.2 trillion, received support from both Democrats and Republicans, showing a moment of unity in a Congress often divided.
Senate Approval
After heated negotiations, the Senate voted 74-24 in favor of the funding bill, breaching the midnight deadline to avert a shutdown. The legislation passed the House earlier by a vote of 268-134.
Bipartisan Agreement
This bill will fund various government departments, including State, Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, through the end of September, with a total spending level for the fiscal year amounting to $1.659 trillion. Despite the divided Congress narrowly avoiding multiple shutdowns with four stopgap bills, negotiations on the final funding bill came down to the wire. Senators worked into the early hours of the morning to reach a compromise amidst partisan disputes, with criticisms of last-minute negotiations and accusations of stalling progress. Nonetheless, leaders from both parties ultimately came together to pass the bill, emphasizing the importance of funding the government amidst ongoing political tensions.
"It's been a very long and difficult day, but we have just reached an agreement to complete the job of funding the government. It is good for the country that we have reached this bipartisan deal." - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.