Sat Dec 21 05:58:20 UTC 2024: ## Congress Averts Government Shutdown in Last-Minute Spending Deal
**Washington D.C.** – In a dramatic late-night session, the US Congress narrowly averted a government shutdown just minutes before funding expired, passing a short-term spending bill early Saturday morning. The Senate approved the measure 85-11, sending it to President Biden for his expected signature.
The bill, which had previously passed the House with bipartisan support, was the culmination of a tumultuous week. An initial bipartisan agreement was reportedly scuttled by President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who criticized its provisions. The final version removed several elements, including a pay raise for lawmakers and measures targeting pharmacy benefit managers, following pressure from Trump and Musk. Democrats accused Republicans of yielding to the billionaire’s influence.
The legislation extends government funding until March 14th, allocating $100 billion for disaster relief, $10 billion for farmers, and extending expiring farm and food aid programs. However, it does not address the debt ceiling, a crucial issue that Congress will need to tackle by mid-2024. Some Republicans opposed the bill due to its lack of spending cuts, while Democrats claimed some of their goals were achieved.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that Republicans anticipate greater influence in the new year with their expected majorities in both congressional chambers and Trump’s presidency. The bill’s passage averted a potential $1 billion per week loss for the travel industry and disruptions to millions of federal workers.
The averted shutdown marks a significant victory for the outgoing administration, preventing widespread economic disruption during the holiday season. However, the looming debt ceiling debate and future budget negotiations promise further political battles in the coming year.
First Piper 