Congress Agrees to Short-Term Spending Bill, Avoids Shutdown

federal shutdown avoided, temporary spending bill passed, Congress avoids shutdown/ Newslooks/ Washington/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Congressional leaders reached a bipartisan agreement on a short-term spending bill, funding federal agencies through mid-December and avoiding a potential shutdown. House Speaker Mike Johnson dropped a proposal to require voter citizenship verification, allowing negotiations to proceed. The bill includes additional funds for the Secret Service following two assassination attempts on Donald Trump.

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Government Shutdown Averted: Quick Look

• A short-term spending bill will fund U.S. federal agencies through mid-December, avoiding a potential shutdown.
• The bill includes an additional $231 million for the Secret Service and other provisions.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson initially linked funding with a voter ID mandate but dropped the demand to secure bipartisan support.
• The bill provides temporary stability, pushing long-term budget decisions to after the November elections.
• Both parties aim to pass a full-year spending plan by December, though political shifts from the election may complicate negotiations.

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Congress Agrees to Short-Term Spending Bill, Avoids Shutdown

Deep Look

On Sunday, Congressional leaders announced a bipartisan agreement on a short-term spending bill that will keep the U.S. government funded through mid-December, averting the looming threat of a federal shutdown. With the current fiscal year ending on September 30, the deal prevents federal agencies from running out of money and delays any final budgetary decisions until after the November 5 elections.

Temporary spending bills, like the one just passed, generally maintain funding at existing levels. However, this bill includes an additional $231 million in appropriations, primarily aimed at bolstering the Secret Service following two assassination attempts on Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The bill also provides additional resources to assist with the upcoming presidential transition, among other urgent needs.

For months, lawmakers struggled to reach an agreement as the deadline approached. At the urging of the conservative members of his party, House Speaker Mike Johnson initially pushed for a mandate requiring states to implement proof of citizenship for voter registration. However, this measure faced immediate opposition in the Democratic-controlled Senate and from the White House. Johnson eventually dropped the demand, allowing negotiations to move forward without the controversial provision.

While former President Trump and his conservative allies urged Johnson to stand firm on the voting requirement, the speaker ultimately chose a more pragmatic route. In a letter to fellow Republicans, Johnson explained that while the deal was not ideal, it was “the most prudent path forward under the present circumstances.” He warned that a government shutdown, especially so close to a crucial election, would be politically damaging.

“Shutting the government down less than 40 days from a fateful election would be an act of political malpractice,” Johnson wrote. His comments reflect the broader consensus in Congress, where both Democrats and Republicans are eager to avoid a shutdown that could have far-reaching consequences for the economy and public services.

With the immediate crisis averted, attention now shifts to the November elections, which will shape the final budget negotiations. If one party performs significantly better in the election, it could influence the terms of a full-year spending deal. The temporary funding agreement essentially “kicks the can down the road,” allowing current lawmakers to address the budget after voters have their say.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed cautious optimism about the deal. While his party will review the full text before the vote, Jeffries said, “Congress is now on a bipartisan path to avoid a government shutdown that would hurt everyday Americans.” His comments reflect the strong bipartisan support for keeping the government running, especially in the weeks leading up to a high-stakes election.

Rep. Tom Cole, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, echoed similar sentiments. He stated that the talks leading to the agreement were “going well” and emphasized that neither party was eager for a shutdown. “Most people don’t want a government shutdown and they don’t want that to interfere with the election,” said Cole, adding that lawmakers had largely avoided “brinkmanship” in this round of negotiations.

However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the initial delay in reaching a compromise. Schumer pointed out that an agreement could have been finalized weeks earlier, had Speaker Johnson not pursued the voter ID mandate. “Speaker Johnson chose to follow the MAGA way and wasted precious time,” Schumer said, but added that the deal reflected the necessity of bipartisan cooperation in the legislative process.

While the short-term spending measure effectively maintains government funding, it does not guarantee an easy path to passing a long-term budget in December. Lawmakers will face renewed political challenges, particularly if the election results lead to a significant shift in power dynamics. Nevertheless, the short-term deal ensures that federal employees will continue working, government services will remain intact, and the economy will not be disrupted by a shutdown in the coming weeks.

One notable provision in the bill is the allocation of additional funds for the U.S. Secret Service. This funding comes in response to two assassination attempts on Donald Trump, including one incident in which a gunman opened fire from a roof during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Although the Secret Service assured Congress that the security lapses were not due to funding shortages, the agency has requested additional resources to enhance its capabilities in protecting high-profile individuals, especially leading up to the 2024 election.

While the bill is expected to pass with bipartisan support, lawmakers are already preparing for more contentious negotiations in December. The election results could significantly influence the next round of talks, potentially extending the fight over the budget into early next year. Despite the temporary resolution, both parties acknowledge that a full-year spending plan will be far more difficult to achieve without further compromises.

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