The US Senate passed a crucial government funding package early Saturday morning, avoiding a partial shutdown and bringing an end to a prolonged battle that has gripped Capitol Hill for months. The legislation will now be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature, which is expected to happen on Saturday.
This vote signifies a significant moment on Capitol Hill, as it concludes an annual appropriations process that has been marred by partisan disagreements and a historic change in leadership in the House. The funding bill addresses critical government operations, including departments such as Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, and Education, among others.
Despite the House passing the bill earlier on Friday, the Senate faced delays in voting due to negotiations over controversial amendments. The final passage in the Senate came after the midnight deadline, ensuring no lapse in funding or government function through the end of the fiscal year.
The funding package, totaling $1.2 trillion and spanning over 1,000 pages, was unveiled just before 3 a.m. ET on Thursday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the urgency of passing the bill before the deadline to avoid a government shutdown.
House members from both sides of the aisle have expressed criticism over the agreement, with progressives and far-right members voicing concerns over various provisions. Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas labeled the bill as a “failure” and stated that he would not support any Republican who votes for it.
The passage of this funding package comes after months of last-minute stopgap bills to avert shutdowns, with Congress finally passing a package of six bills in early March to fund government agencies for the rest of the fiscal year. Speaker of the House, Johnson, who took over after the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, faces challenges from both within his party and across the aisle.
The Senate’s action to pass the government funding package brings a sense of relief and stability to Capitol Hill, as lawmakers can now focus on other pressing issues facing the nation.