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U.S. Congress Approves $1.2 Trillion Budget Bill
In a decisive move, the U.S. Congress has passed a significant $1.2 trillion budget bill, securing government funding through the end of the fiscal year and steering clear of a partial shutdown. The bill, which garnered a 74-24 vote in its favor, is now on its way to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.
Essential federal agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security, Justice, State, and Treasury, which encompasses the Internal Revenue Service, are now funded until September 30. This development comes after the bill received approval from the Democratic-majority Senate. However, it’s noteworthy that this measure does not encompass funding for military aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, or Israel, which are part of a separate bill passed by the Senate but overlooked by the Republican-led House of Representatives.
Senate leaders were engaged in extensive negotiations over several amendments to the budget bill on Friday, but these were ultimately defeated, pushing the passage beyond the midnight deadline. Despite this delay, the White House Office of Management and Budget remained optimistic, refraining from initiating a shutdown and confident in the Senate’s prompt action.
The partisan divide was evident throughout the process, highlighted by internal discord within the House’s slim Republican majority. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene made headlines by threatening to initiate a vote to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his position for allowing the bill’s passage.
The comprehensive 1,012-page bill allocates $886 billion to the Defense Department, including a pay raise for U.S. troops. President Biden has signaled his intention to sign off on the bill. Speaker Johnson, navigating through internal party opposition, employed a parliamentary maneuver to facilitate the bill’s passage with significant Democratic support.
For half of the past year, government operations were maintained through four short-term stopgap measures, indicative of ongoing brinkmanship that has drawn warnings from rating agencies about potential impacts on federal creditworthiness amidst nearly $34.6 trillion in debt.
Senator Susan Collins, one of the chief negotiators and a Republican, emphasized the bill’s importance for national security, with 70% of its funding dedicated to defense, including military readiness and support for allies. On the other hand, critics like Senator Rand Paul labeled the bill as excessively costly and inflationary.
The specter of a government shutdown looms in recent memory with the last partial shutdown occurring under President Donald Trump’s tenure over border wall funding disagreements.
Despite Greene’s move to challenge Speaker Johnson’s position, she has held back on demanding an immediate vote on her motion, considering it more of a cautionary step than an outright dismissal. Meanwhile, some Democrats have expressed willingness to support Johnson if he brings forward a vote on the $95 billion security assistance package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan already approved by the Senate.
As Congress adjourns for a two-week recess, Speaker Johnson faces continued challenges with upcoming departures within his caucus threatening to narrow his majority further. This could complicate future legislative efforts where even a single dissenting Republican vote could tip the scales against him if Democrats stand united in opposition.
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