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
JSO: Man arrested for November 2025 murder of woman with protection order against him

Jacksonville Police Arrest Suspect in 2025 Murder Case Involving Woman with Restraining Order

Joseph Anderson has been taken into custody by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office,…
Woman who married a river to raise awareness celebrates third wedding anniversary

Woman Commemorates Unique Union with River on Third Anniversary to Highlight Environmental Awareness

A woman is marking her third wedding anniversary in an unconventional way—by…
Dog reunited with family 11 years after being stolen from backyard in Philadelphia

Miraculous Reunion: Philadelphia Family Reunites with Beloved Dog 11 Years After Theft

PHILADELPHIA — A long-awaited reunion has finally happened after more than ten…
Eunisses Hernandez wants to control LAPD's budget

Eunisses Hernandez’s Bold Vision: Redefining LAPD’s Budget for a Safer Los Angeles

Eunisses Hernandez, a prominent Los Angeles lawmaker known for advocating a reduction…
Sheriff Chris Nanos shrugs off missteps in Nancy Guthrie case, calls for captor to ‘let her go’ as family pleads for help

Unraveling the Nancy Guthrie Case: Sheriff Nanos Urges Captor’s Release Amidst Family’s Desperate Plea

As the search for Nancy Guthrie approaches the two-month mark, the lead…
NASA's Artemis program is getting a makeover. Here's a look at some of the new changes.

Countdown to Artemis II: NASA Sets Launch Date for Historic Lunar Mission

Initially slated for a February launch, the highly anticipated moon rocket has…
The Pentagon press policy: Donald Trump administration to remove media space after Judge Paul Friedman reinstates NYT credentials

Pentagon Alters Press Policy as Trump Administration Revokes Media Space Following Judge’s Reinstatement of NYT Credentials

The U.S. Defense Department has announced plans to relocate media offices from…
Gavin Newsom dines with Epstein-tainted Bill Clinton

Governor Gavin Newsom Shares Dinner with Former President Bill Clinton Amid Epstein Connections

Bill Clinton recently visited California to enjoy a Sunday brunch with Governor…
Trump's latest White House renovations include new path to West Wing

Trump Unveils New Pathway to West Wing in Latest White House Renovations

WASHINGTON — In a striking transformation, President Trump is revamping the West…
Near United Center, Chicago shooting today kills 67-year-old man by West Madison and South Leavitt streets; CPD questioning 2

Tragic Shooting Near United Center: 67-Year-Old Man Killed on West Madison as CPD Investigates

CHICAGO – In a shocking incident near the United Center, a 67-year-old…
Trump reveals quality he admired in Queen Elizabeth in new book

Trump Shares Insightful Tribute to Queen Elizabeth’s Leadership in Latest Book

The forthcoming book “The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That…
NYC school pushes artwork by Zohran Mamdani's wife while blocking Holocaust survivor from speaking to students

NYC School Promotes Art by Zohran Mamdani’s Spouse, Restricts Holocaust Survivor’s Speech to Students

In a recent development, a Brooklyn middle school has come under scrutiny…