The Senate passed a short-term spending bill on Wednesday that will stave off a partial government shutdown for at least another two months.
In an 87-11 vote, senators overwhelmingly approved sending the legislation to President Biden’s desk, who is expected to sign the measure into law before Friday’s midnight deadline to keep federal operations going.
“I want to thank my colleagues for voting to keep the government open,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters after the vote.
The temporary government funding package was opposed by one Democrat, Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and 10 Republicans, Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and JD Vance (R-Ohio).
The legislation keeps federal spending at current levels for about two more months while negotiations on a long-term package continue.
The architect of the bill, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), described his plan, which passed by the lower chamber easily on Tuesday in a 336-95 vote, as “laddered” continuing resolution.
“This Friday night there will be no government shutdown,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech ahead of the final vote. ZUMAPRESS.comThe bill will allow part of the government to be funded until Jan. 19, 2024, including the Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs departments, while the rest, including funding for the Defense Department, will sunset on Feb. 2, 2024.
This gives Congress two deadlines to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, 2024.
By splitting the deadlines, there is a risk of a partial government shutdown if legislation is not passed by either target date.
The Senate met into the night to pass the bill with an overwhelming 87-11 tally. AFP via Getty Images
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in a floor speech pledged that Republicans would continue to push for policy changes on the US border with Mexico. APSenate leaders of both parties had endorsed Johnson’s plan prior to Wednesday’s vote.
“Everybody is really kind of ready to vote and fight another day,” Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said earlier Wednesday.
Schumer described the continuing resolution as “far from perfect,” but said he would back it because it would avert a shutdown and “will do so without any of the cruel cuts or poison pills” that some conservatives had demanded.
The CR is “clean,” meaning it doesn’t contain spending cuts or increases or controversial policy measures that would offend Democrats or Republicans.
It also doesn’t include funding for Israel, Ukraine, humanitarian assistance or border security requested by Biden last month in his $106 billion ask to Congress.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who crafted the plan, has vowed that he will not support any further stopgap funding measures, known as continuing resolutions. ZUMAPRESS.comJohnson has pledged not to support any further stopgap funding measures, and predicted a spending “fight” with the Senate in 2024.
The House has passed seven of the 12 annual appropriations bills that fund the government for a full fiscal year, and the Senate has passed just three.
Johnson has already sent House lawmakers home until after Thanksgiving and the Senate can now skip town as well.
