The U.S. Congress passed a spending bill early Saturday, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown. The Democratic-led Senate approved the measure 38 minutes after the midnight deadline, following bipartisan support in the Republican-controlled House. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law.
The legislation extends funding until March 14, allocates $100 billion for disaster relief, $10 billion for farmers, and renews farm and food aid programs set to expire. However, it excludes contentious provisions like pay raises for lawmakers and restrictions on investments in China, which drew criticism from Democrats.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said the bill provides a bridge for greater Republican influence next year when the party will control both chambers of Congress and Donald Trump will assume the presidency. Trump, alongside Elon Musk, opposed an earlier bipartisan proposal, leading to revisions.
Some Republicans, including Representative Rich McCormick, voted against the bill, arguing it does not address fiscal concerns. Democrats, meanwhile, celebrated securing priorities while blocking a debt ceiling increase sought by Trump.
A government shutdown would have disrupted services and holiday travel, potentially costing the travel industry $1 billion weekly. While immediate crisis was averted, lawmakers must tackle significant fiscal challenges, including the debt ceiling, in the new year.
