Biden signs bill that averts government shutdown and brings a close to days of Washington upheaval [View all]
Source: AP
Updated 11:51 AM EST, December 21, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed a bill into law Saturday that averts a government shutdown, bringing a final close to days of upheaval after Congress approved a temporary funding plan just past the deadline and refused President-elect Donald Trump’s core debt demands in the package.
The deal funds the government at current levels through March 14 and provides $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in agricultural assistance to farmers.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had insisted lawmakers would “meet our obligations” and not allow federal operations to close. But the outcome at the end of a tumultuous week was uncertain after Trump had insisted the deal include an increase in the government’s borrowing limit. If not, he had said, then let the closures “start now.”
Johnson’s revised plan was approved 366-34, and it was passed by the Senate by a 85-11 vote after midnight. By then, the White House said it had ceased shutdown preparations. “There will be no government shutdown,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-disaster-aid-debt-limit-trump-5a78b3c8c7aedc9384842fae83d78f5b
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