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U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks at the U.S. Capitol on March 6, 2024 in Washington, DC.
The Senate passed a package of six government funding bills Friday evening, just hours before the shutdown deadline, after lawmakers took their time getting the bills across the finish line.
The bill now goes to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature.
Mr. Biden is expected to sign the bill on Saturday, sources said, and the White House announced Friday that the Office of Management and Budget had halted preparations for the shutdown after Congress approved the bill.
“Federal fund obligations are accrued and tracked daily, and the President will sign the bill tomorrow, so government agencies will not be shut down and may continue normal operations tomorrow,” the White House said in a statement. Ta.
After the House approved the bill on Wednesday, the Senate passed it 75-22 on Friday night.
The spending bill, backed by top Democrats and Republicans in both chambers, is a major breakthrough for lawmakers who have been avoiding an 11th-hour shutdown with stopgap legislation for months. Congress finally passed an updated bill to fund critical government departments through the remainder of the fiscal year.
But the work is not finished yet. Lawmakers must finalize and pass a second round of funding bills ahead of a March 22 deadline.
Both Democrats and Republicans are targeting the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Veterans Affairs, Energy, Interior, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, as well as the Food and Drug Administration, military construction, and other federal programs.
The package supports a wide range of programs and initiatives, including the hiring of new air traffic controllers and rail safety inspectors. Medical care and benefits for veterans. Science, technology, and research programs aimed at increasing U.S. economic competitiveness and competition with China, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence.
House Republicans, who have a razor-thin majority, passed the bill on a bipartisan basis Wednesday. The vote was 339-85, with 132 Republicans in favor and 83 Republicans opposed. Two Democratic senators voted against it.
Democrats have emphasized that the package will fund key social safety net programs, including $7 billion for the WIC program, which provides nutritional assistance to women, infants, and children. This includes the provision of financial aid, an increase of $1 billion from the previous fiscal year. The package also includes funding for other child nutrition programs, including rental assistance and school lunch programs.
Republicans, meanwhile, are touting some spending cuts in the bill as well as conservative policy privileges.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has faced criticism from the right for his handling of government spending disputes, said in a statement: “This bill would allow the Justice Department to target parents who exercise their right to free speech on school boards. Prevent the Biden administration from stripping veterans of their Second Amendment rights. Significant changes to the EPA, ATF, and FBI that have threatened our freedoms and economy under the Biden administration. Fully funding veterans' health care while imposing significant cuts.”
In a sign of conservative opposition, the hard-line House Freedom Caucus took a public position opposing the spending measure, saying in a statement that it “violates nearly every Republican policy priority” and “encourages radical Democrats.” “We will abandon the influence of the Republican Party to force policy.” This is the table for truly securing our southern border. ”
This article and heading have been updated with additional developments.
