The U.S. Congress on Wednesday approved a temporary measure that maintains funding for federal agencies through December, averting a government shutdown for now while postponing final spending decisions until after the Nov. 5 election.
The Senate approved the provisional measure by 78 votes in favor and 18 against. shortly after the House of Representatives easily approved it.
The bill maintains funding for agencies overall at current levels through Dec. 20, but includes an additional $231 million to strengthen the Secret Service in the wake of two attempts to assassinate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Money was also added to support the presidential transition, among other things.
It now goes to President Joe Biden’s desk for signing into law.
“This bipartisan action is a good outcome for America,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, moments before the vote. “I hope it sets the tone for more constructive, bipartisan work when we come back in the fall.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, said the measure does “only what is absolutely necessary,” a statement directed at members of his own coalition concerned about spending levels.
But some Republicans see the bill as a nonstarter, forcing House Republican leaders to rely on Democratic votes to get the bill passed through a process that requires at least two-thirds support of voting members.
The final vote was 341 to 82. In both chambers, all the “no” votes were from Republicans. Johnson said the only alternative to a lasting resolution at this stage would have been a government shutdown.
“It would be politically negligent to shut down the government,” Johnson said. “I think everyone understands that.”
The House chamber was virtually empty during debate on the measure. Republican Rep. Chip Roy was the only critic to speak out, saying, “Every year we end up in a vicious cycle, the same vicious cycle.”
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