WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a tense and chaotic 48 hours, Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown by passing a stopgap spending bill early Saturday, extending federal funding through mid-March. The legislation, signed by President Joe Biden on Saturday morning, also includes $100 billion in disaster relief while deferring decisions on other contentious issues, such as the debt ceiling.
The Senate approved the bill in an 85-11 vote shortly after midnight, following the House’s overwhelming 366-34 vote on Friday evening. Although technically passed after the shutdown deadline, White House deputy press secretary Emilie Simons assured the public that federal agencies would continue normal operations.
Key Provisions in the Bill
The 118-page bill gives lawmakers additional time to negotiate comprehensive government funding measures for the fiscal year while also addressing immediate concerns, such as:
- Disaster Relief: $100 billion for communities affected by natural disasters.
- Farm Bill Extension: Programs under the five-year farm bill will remain active through September, buying time for Congress to finalize a new agreement.
- Congressional Pay Raise: Lawmakers will receive their first cost-of-living adjustment since 2009, increasing their salaries to a maximum of $180,600.
- Exclusions: The bill does not address the year-round sale of E15 blended gasoline or the debt ceiling, leaving those debates for 2024.
President Biden’s Response
In a statement, President Biden expressed support for the legislation, acknowledging that it didn’t include all his priorities but emphasizing its importance in maintaining government operations.
“While it does not include everything we sought, it ensures that the government can continue to operate at full capacity, provide disaster relief, and support hardworking Americans,” Biden said.
Divisive Negotiations and Trump’s Intervention
The negotiations highlighted deep divisions within Congress and the influence of outside figures. Earlier in the week, Democrats and Republicans had reached a bipartisan agreement, but former President Donald Trump intervened, urging House GOP leaders to reject the initial deal.
Trump’s primary demand was that Congress address the debt ceiling immediately, either by suspending it for two years or eliminating it altogether. His insistence disrupted earlier negotiations, forcing Republicans to revise their proposal.
House Speaker Mike Johnson assured reporters on Friday that Republicans were unified despite the internal discord. “We will not have a government shutdown,” Johnson declared.
Democratic Criticism
House Democrats criticized the GOP for the last-minute chaos, with Rep. Rosa DeLauro condemning the influence of billionaire Elon Musk, a Trump ally, in the negotiations. Despite her frustration, DeLauro ultimately supported the bill to prevent a shutdown.
“The United States Congress has been thrown into pandemonium,” DeLauro said. “It leads you to the question of who is in charge?”
What’s Next?
The temporary reprieve delays a potential government shutdown but leaves critical issues unresolved, including:
- Debt Ceiling: Congress must address this early next year, as Trump has vowed to push for significant changes.
- Full-Year Funding: Lawmakers must finalize the 12 government funding measures before mid-March.
- Farm Bill: While temporarily extended, its long-term future remains uncertain.
For now, the stopgap measure ensures government operations and federal worker paychecks will continue uninterrupted through the holidays. However, the intense debates and political maneuvering this week offer a glimpse of the challenges ahead as Congress navigates a divided government and competing priorities.
