The Senate narrowly averts government shutdown with $1.2 trillion funding bill
In a tight vote of 74-24, the Senate managed to pass a $1.2 trillion government funding bill, just in the nick of time after breaching the midnight deadline to avert a shutdown. The bill had previously passed the House by a vote of 268-134 and is now headed to President Joe Biden for signing.
The funding lapse was brief and technical, with no meaningful impact as the White House ceased shutdown preparations due to the Senate agreement. Once signed, the full government will be funded through the end of September, totaling $1.659 trillion for the fiscal year. The bill will fund various government departments that had not yet been fully funded, including State, Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security.
This marks the culmination of a year of intense partisan clashes over money and policy, with the divided Congress narrowly averting multiple shutdowns this session. Senators expressed frustration with the back and forth negotiations, with some accusing vulnerable Democrats of holding up the process. However, they ultimately praised the fact that all 12 appropriations bills were passed.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a bipartisan agreement to complete the job of funding the government just before the deadline, bringing relief to Senators who were tired of the difficult and drawn-out process of reaching an agreement. Despite the challenges and delays, the bill was finally passed and the government will now be funded through the end of the fiscal year.
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