US Congress passes short-term funding bill to prevent a government shutdown ahead of the elections.
The US Congress has overwhelmingly approved a short-term funding bill to avert a government shutdown.
On Wednesday evening, the Senate voted 78-18 to pass the measure, following the House’s approval with a vote of 341-82. Opposition came solely from Republicans in both chambers, according to Xinhua news agency.
Negotiated by House Speaker Mike Johnson and leading Democrats, the bill will maintain government funding at current levels until December 20, setting the stage for another budget negotiation in three months.
The package also allocates an additional $231 million to the Secret Service to enhance security resources for the presidential campaign, following two apparent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate.
Trump has urged congressional Republicans to force a government shutdown unless they pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration, despite existing laws prohibiting noncitizens from voting in federal elections.
However, Johnson and other key Republicans have warned that a GOP-led shutdown just weeks before Election Day would be “political malpractice,” fearing that their party would bear the brunt of the blame.
The bill has been sent to President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign it into law swiftly before government funding expires on September 30, marking the end of the fiscal year.
Both chambers are scheduled to adjourn this week for an extended recess and will not reconvene until after the November 5 election, allowing lawmakers to return to their home states to campaign for re-election.
