Congress has passed a short-term spending bill that will prevent a partial government shutdown and fund federal agencies until March. The measure was approved by the House with a vote of 314-108, with most of the opposition coming from conservative members of the Republican conference. The bill received overwhelming support in the Senate, where it passed with a vote of 77-18.
The temporary measure will extend current spending levels and provide more time for the two chambers to reach an agreement on full-year spending bills for the fiscal year that began in October. The funding for some federal agencies was set to run out on Friday, but the bill extends their funds until March 1. The rest of the government operations will be funded until March 8.
While the measure received bipartisan support, some Republicans opposed it because they believe it facilitates excessive spending. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has faced pressure from his party’s right flank to abandon a budget agreement he reached with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. However, Johnson has insisted that he will stand by the deal, with moderate Republicans supporting him to avoid weakening his position in future negotiations.
The passage of the short-term spending bill marks the third stopgap funding measure in recent months. House Republicans have been divided on budget levels and policies since taking the majority, and Johnson’s efforts to avoid a government shutdown in an election year have faced criticism.
In addition to the temporary funding measure, negotiations have been ongoing for a separate spending package that includes funds for Ukraine and Israel’s security, as well as increased security measures at the U.S.-Mexico border. During a White House meeting, Johnson emphasized the need for stronger border security, while President Joe Biden and Democrats discussed Ukraine’s security needs in its conflict with Russia. Biden has requested a $110 billion package for wartime spending and border security.
The passage of the short-term spending bill provides temporary relief and allows for further negotiations on long-term spending bills. Congress will now have a few more months to work out their differences and secure funding for the government’s operations. Americans expect Congress to work in a bipartisan fashion and govern effectively, and the passing of this bill ensures that federal agencies can continue their operations without interruption.
