USA: Shutdown Averted Again at Last Minute

The US Senate once again averted at the last minute passing a funding bill that avoids a shutdown, i.e. the lockdown of several federal agencies and paralysis of the government. The resolution got the green light in the House and then was approved early Saturday morning in the Senate in what some observers called “a rare show of bipartisan unity.”

The approved package totals $1.2 trillion and fully funds the government through September, ending a six-month spending fight between Democrats and Republicans. The measure passed in the Senate by a vote of 74 in favor and 24 against; in the House the result was 286 to 134. The approved measure combines six spending bills into one to fund about three-quarters of the government and includes funds for the departments of State, Homeland Security, Defense, Labor, Health, and Human Services. It also disburses funds for overseas operations and the legislature.

To pass the funding, Republican-majority House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, had to reach an agreement with Democrats, who voted 185 to 22 in favor. However, among 213 Republicans, 101, less than half, voted in favor.

Chuck Schumer, majority leader of the US Senate, explained at the end of the vote: “This was a very long and difficult day, but it’s good for the country to have reached this bipartisan agreement. It wasn’t easy.”