Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON — Congress passed a bill on Thursday that would prevent a partial government shutdown this weekend and keep federal funds flowing through March 1 and March 8.

The Democratic-led Senate voted 77-18 on final passage after considering a few amendments. The Republican-led House soon followed suit, passing it by a vote of 314-108.

The bill now goes to President Joe Biden’s desk to become law before the funding expires Friday at midnight.

It is the third stopgap bill since last September as the divided Congress struggles to agree on full-year government funding bills. Thursday’s bill passed with mostly Democratic votes, with 107 Republicans voting for it and 106 voting against it.

A recent deal between Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on how much to spend in the new year has renewed hope of completing the process by the new early March deadlines. But that is far from guaranteed as right-wing House Republicans rebel against it.

The first stopgap bill led to the ouster of Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as speaker. His successor, Johnson, is seeking to avoid the same fate by selling the conservative victories in the latest deal.

Before the Senate vote, Schumer inveighed against “a loud contingent of hard-right rabble-rousers who thinks a shutdown is somehow a good thing.”

“In the twisted logic of the hard right, the theory is if enough people feel the pain of a shutdown, the hard-right can bully the rest of Congress into enacting their deeply unpopular agenda,” Schumer said on the Senate floor Thursday morning. “Bullying, intimidation, chaos. This is MAGA extremism in a nutshell.”

Around the same time, the House announced that it would cancel votes on Friday in anticipation of a winter storm and complete votes on the stopgap bill on Thursday.

The bill would extend the two-part government funding deadlines from Jan. 19 to March 1, and from Feb. 2 to March 8. The funding bill is unrelated to negotiations surrounding an immigration and national security supplemental bill that would provide aid to Ukraine and Israel. It’s designed to give appropriators more time to craft the 12 appropriations bills that fully fund the government using the newly agreed-to spending levels.

“We need just a little bit more time on the calendar to allow that process to play out,” Johnson told reporters, saying he’s “very hopeful” that Congress can pass all 12 measures.

“We’ll see how this develops. Certainly, we’re not going to have an omnibus,” he said, referring to the massive, last-minute spending bills Congress has frequently relied on. “And that was a very important innovation for us to forge forward because it’s no way to run a railroad.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Zohran Mamdani's DSA pals push to tax 'rich' in Albany — but it's not just millionaires who will be squeezed

Zohran Mamdani and DSA Allies Advocate for Expanded Tax Measures in Albany, Targeting More than Just Millionaires

There’s a growing debate over taxing the wealthy, but it comes with…
Idaho woman accused of attempting to set fire to DHS building with stolen ambulance

Idaho Woman Charged with Alleged Arson Attempt on DHS Facility Using a Stolen Ambulance

Stolen ambulance crashes into Idaho DHS office Fox News contributor Guy Benson…
Trump awards Medal of Honor to hero pilot wounded in Maduro raid at State of the Union 2026 address

Hero Pilot Honored: Trump Bestows Medal of Honor for Bravery in Maduro Raid at 2026 State of the Union

In a stirring ceremony, President Trump presented the Congressional Medal of Honor…
Gavin Newsom staffer has meltdown over reporter's question: 'F--k off'

California Governor’s Aide Sparks Controversy with Profane Outburst at Press Conference

A recent exchange between California Governor Gavin Newsom’s team and a journalist…
WATCH: Trump Announces He's Awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Olympic Hockey Hero

WATCH: Trump to Bestow Presidential Medal of Freedom on Olympic Hockey Legend

What a whirlwind 72 hours it has been for the U.S. men’s…
Meet the Democrat who will be a designated survivor at Trump's State of the Union

Unveiling the Designated Survivor: Meet the Democrat Set to Shape History at Trump’s State of the Union

WASHINGTON — As President Trump prepares to deliver his State of the…
Newark recording studio shooting leaves 2 dead, 2 injured

Tragic 911 Call: Connecticut Man Fatally Shoots Terminally Ill Wife Before Taking Own Life

A tragic incident unfolded in Connecticut as a husband and wife passed…
Digital sleuths and burger deliveries: Inside the true crime scene outside Nancy Guthrie’s home

Unraveling the Mystery: Digital Detectives and Burger Deliveries at Nancy Guthrie’s Residence

TUCSON, Ariz. – As the search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today”…
Nancy Guthrie's disappearance defies FBI kidnapping trends involving elderly victims

Breaking the Mold: Nancy Guthrie’s Mysterious Disappearance Challenges FBI’s Elderly Kidnapping Patterns

TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona authorities are diligently pursuing leads in the ongoing…
Yankees’ Aaron Judge most eager to learn from these USA teammates during WBC

Discover Which USA Teammates Aaron Judge is Excited to Learn from in the WBC

TAMPA — As Aaron Judge talked about his upcoming debut in the…
Utah snowmobiler becomes third avalanche victim in a week amid backcountry dangers

Tragic Avalanche Claims Third Snowmobiler in Utah’s Backcountry This Week

A snowmobiler tragically lost his life after being engulfed by an avalanche…
Trump touts lower drug prices, reveals TrumpRx's first customer, during State of the Union address

Revolutionizing Healthcare: Trump Unveils TrumpRx’s Inaugural Customer and Breakthrough in Drug Pricing at State of the Union

During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Trump highlighted…