The Senate passed a $1.2 trillion spending package after a brief partial government shutdown, with the bill now heading to President Biden's desk for signing. The package, which completes the appropriations process for 2024, faced criticism from some Republican senators due to the last-minute release of the bill text and the short time given for review. The funding will keep the government fully funded until the Sept. 30, 2024 deadline, but concerns remain about potential funding disagreements in the future.
The Senate passed a bill to partially fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year, with some departments funded including Justice, Transportation, Energy, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs. The House and Senate both passed the legislation, averting a partial government shutdown just hours before the midnight deadline. The vote results show how each senator voted on keeping the government open, with a deadline for funding the remaining 70 percent of government approaching in two weeks.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed a two-step funding package to avoid a partial government shutdown. The proposal extends government funding for some agencies and programs until January 19 and continues funding for others until February 2. The approach aims to address concerns from GOP lawmakers who want to avoid a massive spending bill just before the holidays. The bill excludes funding requested by President Joe Biden for Israel, Ukraine, and the U.S. border with Mexico. Hardline conservatives have indicated some support for the temporary spending measures, but there is criticism from within the party. The White House has criticized the plan as "unserious" and a threat to national security and domestic programs.
