Congressional negotiators have unveiled a $1.2 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September, marking a critical deadline to prevent a potential partial government shutdown. The legislation, which needs to be passed by Friday midnight to avoid a lapse in funding for key government departments, has faced delays due to lengthy negotiations.
Lawmakers have been grappling with funding and policy disputes for months, causing a significant backlog in passing the necessary legislation. The final package, which combines six spending bills, may encounter further delays due to arcane congressional rules.
House Republican leaders have expedited the process by scheduling a vote for Friday morning, skirting a rule that typically requires lawmakers to have 72 hours to review legislation before voting. However, the Senate could still present hurdles to the bill’s passage, with potential objections from lawmakers leading to extended debate and a delay in the final vote.
The White House has urged Congress to swiftly pass the bill and send it to the president’s desk for signature. Failure to do so before the deadline could result in a partial government shutdown over the weekend, impacting key departments such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Pentagon, and health agencies.
With time running out, it remains unclear if Congress will be able to come to an agreement and avoid a shutdown. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story on World News Live.
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