Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown, Sends to President Biden for Signing
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The Senate recently passed a bipartisan bill to prevent a government shutdown, which has now been sent to President Biden's desk for signing. This bill, known as the "American Relief Act of 2025," extends federal funding through March 14, 2025. It includes several key provisions:
Disaster Aid: The bill provides over $100 billion in disaster aid to help those affected by storms Helene and Milton in the U.S. Southeast earlier this year.
Extensions: The bill extends the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and several other expiring authorities.
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Avoiding Harmful Cuts: It aims to avoid harmful cuts to federal programs and services.
The passage of this bill came after significant wrangling in Congress. Initially, a more comprehensive 1,547-page continuing resolution (CR) was met with opposition from Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump, which led to its rejection. A slimmed-down version was then approved by the House with a vote of 366 to 34.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the passage, noting that it prevents a government shutdown right before Christmas and funds the government with bipartisan support. President Biden signed the bill into law on Saturday, ensuring that federal operations will continue without interruption.The bill's passage also highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party, particularly between House Speaker Mike Johnson and President-elect Trump. Trump had insisted on including a provision to increase the debt ceiling, which was not part of the final bill. This led to a series of negotiations and compromises, ultimately resulting in the current version of the bill.In summary, the Senate's passage of the bill to prevent a government shutdown is a significant legislative achievement that ensures continued federal funding and provides critical aid to disaster-affected areas and farmers. The bill has been signed into law by President Biden, averting a potential shutdown and maintaining government operations through March 2025.