In a last-minute move, the US government has averted a federal shutdown. Both the House and Senate have agreed upon a short-term funding bill, which will keep the government funded until 17 November. Notably, the bill does not provide any new aid for Ukraine. Passed with 88 votes in favor and nine against in the Senate, President Joe Biden signed the bill just minutes before the midnight deadline.
Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy proposed the bill amidst internal party resistance from hard-liners. Had a deal not been reached, a shutdown would have been initiated at 00:01 ET on Sunday, causing tens of thousands of federal employees to go on unpaid furlough and suspending numerous government services.
In a sudden move on Saturday, House Republicans managed to pass the temporary funding measure, which retained current spending levels. More Democrats supported the bill than Republicans, with around 90 Republicans opposing it. The bill’s approval is seen as a setback to a handful of staunch right-wing Republicans who have been persistent in their demands for budget reductions.
The bill reflects one of the major demands of this faction: halting further US funding for Ukraine’s defense against the Russian invasion.
Post the Senate vote, President Biden criticized “extreme House Republicans” for trying to create a fabricated crisis. He urged McCarthy to expedite a subsequent funding bill for Ukraine. Biden emphasized, “We cannot allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted.”
Democratic Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer expressed relief after the bill’s passage. While he was pleased about avoiding “extreme, nasty and harmful” budget cuts, Schumer reassured that support for Ukraine was not off the table.
In a rare move, senior Senate leaders from both parties, including minority leader Mitch McConnell, pledged continued support for Ukraine.
However, the agreement might only be a temporary solution, as this issue is likely to resurface in under seven weeks due to fundamental disagreements among and within parties about government spending policies.
Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, along with some hard-line House conservatives, now faces a dilemma. Kevin McCarthy’s decision to rely on Democratic votes for passing the short-term bill was considered a line that shouldn’t be crossed by them, potentially leading to efforts to oust him from his leadership role. McCarthy, in response, challenged the opposing members during a Saturday press conference, emphasizing the need for mature decision-making. The following days will determine the next steps in this ongoing political saga.