President Joe Biden has signed a temporary spending bill to prevent a government shutdown, buying more time for negotiations with congressional Republicans over the federal budget. The measure, which passed with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, will keep the government funded at current levels for approximately two more months while a long-term package is worked out. This move comes as aid for Ukraine and Israel remains on hold.
The bill splits the deadlines for passing full-year appropriations into two dates: January 19 for some federal agencies and February 2 for others, creating two potential shutdown risks. While new House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, championed this two-step approach, it was not preferred by many in the Senate. However, the majority of Democrats and 10 Republicans supported it in order to avoid a government shutdown.
The temporary funding bill is seen as setting the stage for a spending fight between the House and Senate in the coming year. Speaker Johnson has made it clear that he will not support any further stopgap funding measures, known as continuing resolutions. This means that lawmakers will need to find a more long-term solution to government spending levels.
Notably, the spending bill does not include the White House’s request for nearly $106 billion in wartime aid for Israel and Ukraine, nor does it provide humanitarian funding for Palestinians and other supplemental requests, such as money for border security. It is expected that lawmakers will address these issues after the Thanksgiving holiday in an effort to negotiate a deal.
President Biden signed the bill during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco, where he held a dinner for APEC members at the Legion of Honor Museum. The news of the signing came late at night, adding to the urgency surrounding the potential government shutdown. The president’s action ensures that the government will remain open for the duration of the holiday season.
As the two parties continue to navigate their differences over government spending, it remains to be seen how they will come to an agreement that satisfies all involved. The next deadlines for passing appropriations bills will approach in January and February, bringing with them the risk of a partial government shutdown if an agreement is not reached. With time running short, lawmakers will need to work diligently to find common ground and avoid the disruptive consequences of a shutdown.
[Original Article: Biden Signs Temporary Spending Bill, Avoiding Government Shutdown – SAN FRANCISCO (AP)]
