In efforts to avoid a government shutdown at midnight, Congress on Thursday approved a spending bill that would extend federal funding through early December and provide emergency relief to support Afghan refugee resettlement. The legislation passed in a 254 to 175 vote and will now make its way to Biden’s desk for his signature. The […]
In efforts to avoid a government shutdown at midnight, Congress on Thursday approved a spending bill that would extend federal funding through early December and provide emergency relief to support Afghan refugee resettlement.
The legislation passed in a 254 to 175 vote and will now make its way to Biden’s desk for his signature.
The Senate earlier Thursday passed the legislation in a 65 to 35 vote, the New York Times reports.
“This is a good outcome,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “one I am happy we are getting done.”
Lawmakers came to an agreement on the spending bill after democrats agreed to do away with a provision that would have raised the government’s ability to continue borrowing funds through the end of 2022.
The legislation will keep the government fully funded through December 3, giving lawmakers more time to come to an agreement over the dozen annual bills that dictate federal spending. It will provide $6.3 billion to help resettle Afghan refugees in the United States, as well as $28.6 billion to help communities rebuild from hurricanes, wildfires and other recent disasters.
“This bill is not a permanent solution,” House Appropriations Committee chairwoman Rep. Rosa DeLauro said. “I look forward to soon beginning negotiations with my counterparts across the aisle and across the Capitol to complete full year government funding bills.”
“The American people are capable of building a future that is stronger and more prosperous as long as they have the tools they need to do it,” she added. “This bill helps ensure that they have those tools.”
