The ‘shutdown’ in the United States that would shut down parts of the government appears to have been averted. Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives agreed to a new financing package in the night from Friday to Saturday Dutch time, Reuters news agency reports.
The Senate still must approve the package and has until 6 a.m. Dutch time to do so. President Joe Biden has already indicated that he supports the package.
The House passed the bill with 366 votes in favor and 34 against. President-elect Donald Trump’s demand to raise the US debt limit has failed. Thirty-eight delegates from his own Republican party, among others, voted against.
The package will continue to secure government funding until March 14 and also provide aid to disaster victims and American farmers.
Johnson: More budget power for Republicans next year
Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson expects Republicans will have much more say in the budget next year. Then Donald Trump will have taken office and Republicans will have a majority in both chambers.
“This was a necessary step to bridge the gap and get us to the point where we can put our fingerprints on final spending decisions,” Johnson told reporters on Friday night.