The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly avoided a government shutdown on Friday by passing a stopgap spending bill just hours before the deadline. The bill ensures government operations continue at current funding levels until mid-March, giving lawmakers more time to negotiate comprehensive spending measures.
The lower chamber voted 366-34 to approve the bill, with all opposition votes coming from Republican members. This move came after intense negotiations following President-elect Donald Trump's last-minute intervention, which initially threatened the extension of government funding.
Earlier in the week, the House introduced a 1,500-page funding package that included $100 billion for disaster relief and a one-year extension of the farm bill, adding $10 billion in aid for farmers. However, President-elect Trump opposed this bipartisan effort, advocating for a streamlined bill without extensive Democratic concessions and pushing for an increase in the debt ceiling.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders quickly devised a Plan B: a more concise 116-page bill maintaining current funding levels until March 14, incorporating disaster relief and economic aid for farmers, while omitting several policy provisions. Despite initial setbacks and opposition from some conservative Republicans and Democrats, a last-minute agreement led to the passage of the stopgap bill, preventing a potential shutdown.
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U.S. House passes stopgap funding bill aimed at averting govt shutdown
cgtn.com
