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
Tulsi Gabbard exposes the flimsy ‘false narrative’ intel community watchdog pushed to impeach Trump in 2019

Tulsi Gabbard Unveils Alleged Weaknesses in Intel Community’s 2019 Impeachment Narrative Against Trump

On Monday, Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, unveiled a collection…
Butler man’s online rants to kill Trump end in guilty plea after FBI probe

Butler Resident Admits Guilt Following FBI Investigation into Threats Against Trump

A resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, has admitted guilt to issuing threats against…
Firebug busted for allegedly hurling Molotov cocktail that set NYC store ablaze

Suspect Arrested for Alleged Molotov Cocktail Attack on NYC Store

A man previously arrested 15 times was apprehended for allegedly throwing a…
'#SKYKING' director on the true story of a man who stole a commercial airplane for one last joyride

Unveiling the Thrilling True Story Behind ‘#SKYKING’: The Man Who Stole a Commercial Jet for a Final Adventure

In a tale that captivated the nation back in 2018, the story…
Former Brazilian spy chief who fled country following conviction arrested by ICE agents in the US

U.S. ICE Agents Apprehend Brazil’s Former Intelligence Chief Following Conviction and Flight from Country

Alexandre Ramagem, the former head of Brazilian intelligence, has been apprehended by…
Arizona woman charged with killing newborn child 45 years after body was found

Arizona Woman Indicted for 1978 Newborn Homicide Following Decades-Old Investigation

In a breakthrough development over four decades in the making, a 65-year-old…
Creepy school music teacher allegedly got heart tattoos for teen student he was obsessed with

School Music Teacher Accused of Inappropriate Obsession: Allegedly Tattoos Hearts for Teen Student

A music teacher at a Miami high school is facing serious allegations…
Two arrested after apparent shooting near OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home

Individual Charged with Attempted Murder in Molotov Cocktail Incident at OpenAI CEO’s Residence

A man is now facing serious charges, including attempted murder, following an…
Hezbollah calls on Lebanon to reject US-led peace talks with Israel

Hezbollah Urges Lebanon to Oppose US-Backed Peace Negotiations with Israel

Hezbollah’s leader has urged Lebanese authorities to dismiss upcoming US-led peace negotiations…
A $500,000 payday awaits the No. 1 WNBA pick as the Dallas Wings go on the clock again

WNBA Draft 2024: Dallas Wings Eye $500,000 Prospect as Top Pick Countdown Begins

The Dallas Wings are once again on the clock, poised to make…
Iran-linked ships transit through Strait of Hormuz -- nearly 24 hours into US blockade

Iranian Vessels Challenge US Blockade: Tensions Rise in the Strait of Hormuz

According to tracking data, at least four vessels linked to Iran, including…
JD Vance accuses Iran of ‘economic terrorism’ over its blocking of Hormuz Strait, says ball is in Tehran’s court 

JD Vance Slams Iran’s ‘Economic Terrorism’ Over Hormuz Strait Blockade – What’s Next for Tehran?

Vice President Vance has accused Iran of engaging in “economic terrorism” due…