United States President Joe Biden signed a provisional bill on Thursday hours before a midnight deadline in order to alleviate the US government from shutting down due to a shortage in funds. The stopgap spending bill will provide financial support for the federal government through Dec. 3.
President Joe Biden arrives at the White House on Sept. 21. (Photo: The New York Times)
According to the president in a statement on Thursday, “There’s so much more to do. But the passage of this bill reminds us that bipartisan work is possible and it gives us time to pass longer-term funding to keep our government running and delivering for the American people.”
House, Senate Vote
The House and Senate passed a short-term financial backing measure for the government also on Thursday prior to the midnight deadline. The House’s vote was 254-175 in order to set forth the measure. The previous hours, the Senate cast a vote of 65-35, which was a showcasing of bipartisanship in the two chambers.
The federal funding proffers emergency assistance in support of the disaster recovery efforts throughout the US and the resettlement of Afghan refugees.
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Biden’s signature came following lawmakers swiftly clearing the ruling in the two chambers earlier on Thursday. According to Senator Chuck Schumer from New York, the majority leader, delivering a statement on the Senate floor before the voting, “This is a good outcome — one I am happy we are getting done. With so many things happening in Washington, the last thing the American people need is for the government to grind to a halt.”
Bipartisan Cooperation
The rare scenario of bipartisan coordination arrives with Democratic lawmakers making efforts to hammer out a deal over the president’s faltering $3.5 trillion social spending package that has no GOP support. They are also attempting to sort out a bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure bill. Democrat moderates and progressives are involved in a combatting of words over the programs while GOP members reportedly enjoy the chaos from the sidelines with one eye on the 2020 midterm elections.
End to Days of Drama
The vote concluded days of drama in the White House where a lack of proactiveness had federal offices readying furlough and contingency plans in case the government closes. One negotiation to keep the government running went into fruition on Wednesday night following Democrats surrendering on an effort to include a provision to raise the borrowing threshold.
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