The US Senate passed a stopgap funding bill on Friday, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown that was set to begin at midnight. The measure, which now moves to the House of Representatives, was approved with bipartisan support just hours before the deadline.
Details of the Vote
The Senate voted 71-29 to advance the continuing resolution, which would fund the federal government through early December. The bill includes $7.8 billion in aid for Afghanistan refugees and $28.6 billion for disaster relief, though it does not include a suspension of the debt ceiling.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the vote was a "good outcome" and urged the House to act swiftly. "We are not going to shut the government down," he said.
House Action Pending
The House is expected to vote on the measure later Friday. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has signaled support, but some conservative Republicans have opposed the bill, citing concerns over spending and the debt ceiling.
If the House approves the bill, it will go to President Joe Biden's desk for signature. The White House has indicated Biden would sign it into law.
Impact of the Bill
The stopgap measure would keep federal agencies operating and prevent furloughs for millions of workers. However, it does not address the debt ceiling, which the Treasury Department has warned could be breached by mid-October if not raised.
The bill's passage in the Senate marks a temporary resolution to a contentious budget battle, but lawmakers face another deadline in December to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year.
