The threat of a federal government shutdown suddenly lifted late Saturday as President Joe Biden signed a temporary funding bill to keep agencies open with little time to spare after Congress rushed to approve the bipartisan deal.The package drops aid to Ukraine, a White House priority opposed by a growing number of GOP lawmakers, but increases federal disaster assistance by $16 billion, meeting Biden’s full request.
The bill funds the government until November 17.After chaotic days of turmoil in the House, Speaker Kevin McCarthy abruptly abandoned demands for steep spending cuts from his right flank and instead relied on Democrats to pass the bill, at risk to his own job.
The Senate followed with final passage closing a whirlwind day at the Capitol.“This is good news for the American people,” Biden said in a statement.He also said the United States “cannot under any circumstances allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted" and expected McCarthy "will keep his commitment to the people of Ukraine and secure passage of the support needed to help Ukraine at this critical moment."It’s been a sudden head-spinning turn of events in Congress after gruelling days in the House pushed the government to the brink of a disruptive federal shutdown.The outcome ends, for now, the threat of a shutdown, but the reprieve may be short-lived.
Congress will again need to fund the government in the coming weeks risking a crisis as views are hardening, particularly among the right-flank lawmakers whose demands were ultimately swept aside this time in favour of a more bipartisan approach.“We’re going to do our job,” McCarthy, a Republican representing California, said before the House vote. “We’re going to be adults in the room.