Both Democrats and Republicans in the US House of Representatives approved a spending bill just before a potential shutdown that could halt parts of the government. The two parties had to make joint decisions under time pressure regarding the federal budget to prevent the imminent shutdown.
The bill received 366 votes in favor and 34 against. The spending bill now moves to the Senate, where it must be approved before going to the White House.
President Joe Biden has expressed support for the spending proposal. The Senate Democrats have until midnight (local time) to approve the bill.
While approval is expected, the final vote remains uncertain due to potential objections from both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate. If no agreement is reached by midnight, parts of the government could still close, possibly leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay just before the holidays, and resulting in the closure of museums and national parks during the Christmas vacation.
Incoming President Donald Trump’s request to raise the US debt ceiling was rejected by the House. However, Trump advocates for abolishing the debt ceiling altogether.
The debt ceiling is a legally set limit on how much the federal government is allowed to borrow.
Source: NOS