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
US troops killed in Iran war were in makeshift command center with no overhead protection: report

Report Reveals Lack of Overhead Protection in Command Center Where US Troops Were Killed in Iran Conflict

In a tragic incident, six U.S. service members lost their lives due…
US, Ecuador launch joint operations targeting narco-terror groups: SOUTHCOM

United States and Ecuador Collaborate on Joint Operations to Combat Narco-Terror Groups, Announces SOUTHCOM

In a concerted effort to tackle suspected narco-terrorist activities, U.S. and Ecuadorian…
Goon sets sleeping man on fire inside Penn Station as ghoulish pals look on: cops

Man Set on Fire in Disturbing Penn Station Incident While Onlookers Watch: Police Report

In a shocking incident at Penn Station, a pyromaniac attacked a sleeping…
Minnesota police sergeant dies less than 24 hours after receiving brain infection diagnosis

Minnesota Mourns Loss of Police Sergeant: Tragic Passing Follows Rapid Brain Infection Diagnosis

A Minnesota police sergeant known for his dedication as both an officer…
Anti-ICE agitators convicted of stalking federal agents on livestream

Anti-ICE Protesters Found Guilty of Livestream Stalking Federal Agents: Legal Implications Unfold

In a recent legal development, two women have been found guilty of…
Heated GOP Texas Senate primary heads to runoff between Cornyn and Paxton

Intense Texas GOP Senate Primary Sets Stage for High-Stakes Runoff Between Cornyn and Paxton

DALLAS — The fiercely contested Republican primary for the Texas Senate has…
Ex-Yankees World Series star Mark Teixeira wins GOP House primary race in Texas

Former Yankees Star Mark Teixeira Secures Victory in Texas GOP House Primary

Mark Teixeira, known for his stellar career with the New York Yankees,…
Florida man who wrestled cop's gun away and killed him, executed after final appeals rejected

Florida Man Executed Following Rejection of Final Appeals for Officer’s Killing

A Florida man, who prosecutors assert wrested a police officer’s firearm during…
Pennsylvania bus driver Kelly Weber four times over legal limit DUI with 54 students on board

Pennsylvania School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI: Kelly Weber Caught Four Times Over Legal Limit with 54 Students Onboard

A school bus driver in Pennsylvania faces serious charges after allegedly transporting…
Hot Takes: Libertarian Brain Trust Dunks on Iranian Women Celebrating Freedom, and They Dunk Right Back

Libertarian Criticism Backfires as Iranian Women Defiantly Celebrate Freedom

Social media platforms are abuzz with commentary and critique over Operation Epic…
A Waymo autonomous car pauses near an emergency vehicle with flashing lights outside a downtown Austin garage at night.

Waymo Self-Driving Car Impedes Emergency Response in Austin Mass Shooting: An Urgent Analysis

Video footage has emerged showing a tense moment when a Waymo autonomous…
Minnesota police sergeant, father of two, dies suddenly after brain infection

Tragic Loss: Minnesota Police Sergeant and Beloved Father of Two Passes Away from Sudden Brain Infection

In a tragic turn of events, a dedicated Minnesota police sergeant and…