A Last minute intervention on Saturday, September 30 saved the federal government from total shutdown that would have crippled all sectors of the economy.
This was after President Joe Biden signed a temporary funding bill to keep agencies open with little time to spare after Congress rushed to approve the bipartisan deal.
The bill will keep the government open through November 17 and includes natural disaster aid but not additional funding for Ukraine or border security.
“I just signed a law to keep the government open for 47 days. There’s plenty of time to pass Government funding bills for the next fiscal year, and I strongly urge Congress to get to work right away. The American people expect their government to work. Let’s make sure it does,” Biden stated.
The Senate Debate
The Senate passed the measure Saturday evening after the House abruptly reversed course earlier in the day and passed a bipartisan bill to extend government funding after days of uncertainty over whether a shutdown could be averted.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy abruptly abandoned demands for steep spending cuts from his right flank and instead relied on Democrats to pass the Bill.
The Senate followed with final passage closing a whirlwind day at the Capitol.
For the House package to be approved, McCarthy was forced to rely on Democrats because the speaker’s hard-right flank had said it would oppose any short-term funding measure, denying him the votes needed from his slim majority.
“If somebody wants to remove me because I want to be the adult in the room, go ahead and try,” McCarthy stated on the threat to oust him.
“But I think this country is too important,” he insisted.
