US lawmakers took a key step on Wednesday to prevent a government shutdown as the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding bill, ensuring federal operations continue through the upcoming election.
This stop-gap measure, expected to be confirmed by the Senate, comes just ahead of the September 30 deadline, which could have triggered a government shutdown just weeks before Election Day. The bill will maintain current spending levels until December 20, giving lawmakers more time to agree on a full-year budget.
The bill passed in the Republican-controlled House, thanks to support from Democrats, as several conservative members voted against it. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the bipartisan effort, stating, “Americans can breathe easy… Congress is getting the job done. We will keep the government open and prevent essential services from shutting down.”
While this funding debate lacked the usual drama, a shutdown had seemed possible, creating concerns for Republicans who are looking to secure re-election on November 5.
The temporary funding bill, known as a “continuing resolution,” was needed because lawmakers had not yet agreed on the 2025 fiscal year budget, which starts on October 1. Last week, conservative hardliners had pushed for an extension of funding until March, tied to the SAVE Act, a proposal requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration.
Donald Trump, a key figure in the Republican Party, had lobbied for the inclusion of the election-related measure, continuing his false claims of voter fraud from the 2020 election. However, the proposal lacked sufficient Republican support and faced strong opposition from Democrats and President Joe Biden’s administration, which argued that noncitizen voting is already illegal and extremely rare.
Ultimately, Republicans rejected Trump’s call to shut down the government over the issue, choosing instead to pass a bipartisan version of the funding bill that excluded the SAVE Act.
As part of the package, more than $230 million was approved to boost Secret Service protection for Trump, who has faced two assassination attempts, as well as other presidential candidates on the campaign trail.
With this legislation passed, most lawmakers will return to their home states to campaign, with Congress not expected to reconvene until after the election.
