The US House of Representatives has passed a $467.5 billion spending package, marking the initial move to avoid a partial government shutdown.
Funding for approximately 30% of the federal government, covering areas like agriculture, energy, housing, and veterans’ affairs, is set to expire at midnight on Friday.
The bill now heads to the US Senate, where leaders have pledged to support it “with time to spare” to prevent a shutdown.
However, the specter of a shutdown looms once more over Congress in just two weeks.
On Wednesday, House lawmakers voted 339-85 in favor of the extensive package comprising six funding bills, a compromise reached after months of negotiations between House and Senate leaders.
Upon Senate approval and President Joe Biden’s signature, the 1,050-page legislation would extend funding for numerous federal programs from March 8 until September 30.
However, negotiators must still reach agreements before the March 22 deadline for major government agencies such as defense, homeland security, and state departments.
Capitol Hill has witnessed intense spending disputes over the past six months between House Republicans and Senate Democrats.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has faced challenges amid a dwindling Republican majority and recent conservative dissent.
With the nation $34.4 trillion in debt, the House Freedom Caucus has pushed for spending cuts deeper than those acceptable to Democratic colleagues.
Mr. Johnson acknowledged the need for Republicans to be realistic about their limited majority.
Recent spending measures have necessitated bipartisan support, a trend that contributed to the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year.
Eighty-three Republicans voted against the bill on Wednesday, with the Freedom Caucus asserting that it falls short of Republican policy priorities, including immigration.
Texas Congressman Chip Roy criticized the bill on the House floor, highlighting perceived shortcomings.
Despite touted spending cuts, Democrats celebrated the bill’s outcomes, including the preservation of food and nutrition programs and the defeat of efforts to defund expanded access to abortion pills.
The Senate began deliberations on the bill Wednesday night, expected to approve it without significant opposition.
The timing is advantageous for President Biden, who will deliver his State of the Union address to Congress on Thursday.
