Government Shutdown Live Updates: House and Senate Approve Short-Term Funding Bill

 

With a government shutdown narrowly averted late Friday into Saturday morning, the House and Senate sent a funding bill to President Joe Biden’s desk.  

An initial bipartisan deal fell apart earlier in the week due to opposition from President-elect Donald Trump and his ally, Elon Musk. On Thursday night, the House also failed to pass a revised plan that included Trump's controversial demand for an extension of the debt limit.  

The 118-page proposal contains most of the provisions from the bipartisan bill agreed upon on Wednesday. It includes $100 billion for disaster aid, $30 billion for farmers, and a one-year extension of the farm bill—issues that were heavily debated before the votes this week.

**Senate Approves Short-Term Government Funding Bill**  

The Senate voted just after midnight to approve the House-passed short-term government funding bill, with a tally of 85-11.  

The legislation will extend government funding until March 14 and allocates $100 billion for disaster aid, $30 billion for farmers, and includes a one-year extension of the farm bill. 

 

Technically, the gavel fell in the Senate at 12:38, meaning Congress missed its midnight deadline to avert a shutdown by 38 minutes.  

While President Joe Biden still needs to sign the bill, a shutdown has effectively been averted, and no significant impacts are expected before his signing.

Before the vote, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer commended the Senate for its efforts in passing the bill.  

“Tonight the Senate delivers good news for America: there will be no government shutdown right before Christmas,” Schumer stated. “After a chaotic few days in the House, it’s reassuring that the bipartisan approach ultimately prevailed. This serves as a valuable lesson for next year: both sides must work together.”  

He described the legislation as a “good bill” and added, “It is a positive outcome for America and the American people.”  

The passage of the short-term funding bill marks the conclusion of the 118th Congress. The Senate will now recess for the holidays and reconvene on January 3, 2025, when the 119th Congress will be sworn in.