Biden Signs Temporary Funding Bill Avoiding A Government Shutdown Before The Election
3 weeks ago
President Joe Biden signed a temporary government spending bill that keeps agencies operating into December, after Congress punted key spending decisions until after the November election.
The bill generally funds agencies at current levels through Dec. 20, setting up the possibility of a government shutdown fight just before the holiday season. Lawmakers did agree to add $231 million to beef up the Secret Service after two assassination attempts against Prsident Donald Trump. Money was also added to help with the presidential transition.
The measure easily passed Congress earlier in the week on a bipartisan basis, 341-82 in the House and 78-18 in the Senate, with Republicans accountinf for all the no votes in both chambers.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, saying the measure is doing “only what’s absolutely necessary,” a statement directed at members of his own conference concerned about spending levels. Johnson said the only alternative to the continuing resolution at this stage would have been a government shutdown.
The bill generally funds agencies at current levels through Dec. 20, setting up the possibility of a government shutdown fight just before the holiday season. Lawmakers did agree to add $231 million to beef up the Secret Service after two assassination attempts against Prsident Donald Trump. Money was also added to help with the presidential transition.
The measure easily passed Congress earlier in the week on a bipartisan basis, 341-82 in the House and 78-18 in the Senate, with Republicans accountinf for all the no votes in both chambers.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, saying the measure is doing “only what’s absolutely necessary,” a statement directed at members of his own conference concerned about spending levels. Johnson said the only alternative to the continuing resolution at this stage would have been a government shutdown.
