The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives approved a bill to avert a government shutdown, the so-called shutdown, as a result of which government institutions could run out of funds and stop functioning from the weekend.
However, with their vote, they rejected the increase in the debt ceiling, which was urged by the newly elected President Donald Trump. TASR informs about it based on the reports of AFP and Reuters agencies.
The proposal still needs to be approved by the Democrat-controlled Senate to ensure the government will be funded after midnight (Saturday 6am CET) when current funding ends. The White House has reported that President Joe Biden intends to sign the bill if it passes the Senate.
The legislation would extend government funding through March 14, providing $100 billion to states affected by disasters and $10 billion to farmers. But the debt ceiling will not be raised — a tall order Trump wanted Congress to complete before he takes office on Jan. 20.
House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans will be better able to influence government spending next year when they hold majorities in both houses of Congress and Trump is in the White House. According to Johnson, the package has Trump’s support.
If the shutdown were to happen, it would mean temporary unemployment for hundreds of thousands of state employees, the freezing of several social benefits and even the closing of some day care centers. This is an extremely unpopular situation – especially in connection with the approaching Christmas.
From January 2025, Republicans will control both houses of Congress and the White House. They then plan to quickly pass legislation on key issues such as migrant deportations, oil extraction and tax cuts, anchoring the president-elect’s priorities.
