With mere hours left before a potential government shutdown, the U.S. Senate greenlit a temporary funding measure late Saturday evening, concluding with an 88-9 vote.
Earlier on Saturday, the House of Representatives approved this interim funding solution, which would ensure the government’s operations for an additional 45 days. This measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), secured a 335 to 91 vote in the House. Amidst the looming threat of a shutdown, the passage of this CR elicited a wave of relief and applause from lawmakers.
By 8 p.m., Senator Chuck Schumer of New York initiated a roll call for the Senate vote. A minimum of 60 affirmative votes was required for the measure to be ratified.
If the Senate had not endorsed this extension before the fiscal year’s end on October 1, several non-critical government operations would have been halted, putting many federal workers on temporary leave.
This CR grants funding for a limited 45-day period, allocating $16 billion for disaster relief efforts. Notably absent from this provision is any financial aid for Ukraine.
Earlier attempts at a CR, proposed by Republicans, failed to gain Democratic support. Yet, the urgency of the situation brought members from both sides of the aisle together to back this short-term solution. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy mentioned in a media briefing that this CR serves as a buffer, granting Congress extra time to finalize their budgetary decisions.
McCarthy assured the public, “The House will act, ensuring that the government remains operational.” He further stated that the House would “incorporate the additional funding for disaster relief, addressing recent calamities in Florida, Hawaii, California, and Vermont, as requested by the president.”
