In the early hours of Saturday morning, the Senate passed a $1.2 trillion package of spending bills, bringing relief to a government teetering on the edge of shutdown almost six months into the budget year. The bill, which received a 74-24 vote in the Senate, now heads to President Joe Biden's desk for signature.
The passage of the bill comes after funding had expired for agencies at midnight, sparking concerns about a potential government shutdown. However, the White House announced shortly after the deadline that shutdown preparations had ceased, expressing confidence in Congress's ability to pass the legislation and the president's willingness to sign it.
The breakthrough in the Senate followed a tense period on Friday evening, with Republicans and Democrats clashing over proposed amendments to the bill. Any successful amendments would have sent the legislation back to the House, which had already adjourned for a two-week recess. However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a breakthrough shortly before midnight, signaling an agreement to continue massive government spending.
The bill approved this week provides funding for various government departments, including Defense, Homeland Security, and State. While Congress had already approved funding for certain agencies, this larger package addresses critical areas of government expenditure.
Despite the bipartisan agreement in the Senate, the bill faced criticism from many Republicans in the House. House Speaker Mike Johnson brought the measure to the floor for a vote, despite significant opposition within his party. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene initiated an effort to oust Johnson, reflecting the discontent among conservative lawmakers.
The vote breakdown in the House highlighted the partisan divide, with the majority of Republicans voting against the bill. However, the bill passed 286-134 with support from Democrats. Twelve Members of Congress Did Not Vote on the $1.2 Trillion Spending Package
Michael C. Burgess (R-Tex.)
Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.)
Lois Frankel (D-Fla.)
Paul A. Gosar (R-Ariz.)
Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.)
Daniel Kildee (D-Mich.)
Troy E. Nehls (R-Tex.)
Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.)
John Rose (R-Tenn.)
Mike Simpson (R-Idaho)
Roger Williams (R-Tex.)
Frederica S. Wilson (D-Fla.)
The spending package includes provisions aimed at addressing issues such as immigration, childcare, and healthcare. To win over Republican support, the bill includes funding increases for detention beds for migrants and Border Patrol agents. Democrats, on the other hand, secured funding for Head Start programs, childcare centers for military families, and research into cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
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