The government will remain funded through Nov. 17, but the deal lacks additional aid for Ukraine.
In a critical last-minute move, Congress passed a funding bill late Sunday evening to avoid a government shutdown. The bill received strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, ensuring that the government will remain funded through November 17. The shutdown had been set to begin at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, October 2, and this agreement averted that crisis.
The deal, which was heavily pushed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is a stopgap measure that includes funding for disaster relief. However, it does not include new aid for Ukraine, which had been a major point of contention in the negotiations. Many Republican lawmakers pushed for a halt to further military support for Ukraine, while some Democrats insisted on additional funding for the country’s defense against Russia’s invasion.
The bill’s passage came after House Republicans faced a significant defeat when they failed to pass their own short-term spending bill on Thursday. This embarrassing setback put pressure on McCarthy and his team to find an alternative solution that would satisfy both parties and prevent the government from shutting down. The emergency measure was seen as a compromise to keep essential government functions running.
While the bill does not include Ukraine aid, it does allocate necessary funds for disaster relief, an important measure for those affected by recent natural disasters. The lack of a new Ukraine aid package, however, is likely to remain a contentious issue, with some lawmakers pushing for continued support for the war effort.
McCarthy’s leadership was critical in bringing the deal to fruition. His ability to rally enough support from both parties in the wake of last week’s defeat showcased his political acumen. However, the bill’s passage was far from easy, as it required significant negotiation and compromise between Democrats and Republicans.
President Joe Biden signed the funding bill into law late Saturday night, which was a crucial step in avoiding the shutdown. The signing was a victory for lawmakers who worked tirelessly to come to an agreement, but it also set the stage for future budget negotiations. The government will remain operational until mid-November, giving lawmakers additional time to address longer-term funding issues.
As the government remains open, the fight over Ukraine aid and other funding issues will likely continue in the coming weeks. Lawmakers will need to work together to craft a comprehensive budget that can be agreed upon by both parties, but for now, the immediate threat of a shutdown has been averted.