The U.S. Congress has successfully passed a stopgap spending bill to avert a potential government shutdown. The bill, proposed by Speaker Mike Johnson, received overwhelming support from Democrats, despite facing opposition from a significant bloc of Republicans. The bill now awaits President Biden's signature to become law.
The bill's passage marks a significant legislative test for Speaker Johnson, who had previously opposed a similar funding package six weeks prior. Despite this, Johnson defended his decision to move the short-term spending bill, stating it would prevent Congress from passing an omnibus spending package in mid-December before the holiday break. This decision was made to avoid a government shutdown, which could have been blamed on the Republicans.
The bill extends funding until January 19 for priorities including military construction, veterans affairs, transportation, housing, and the Energy Department. The rest of the government will be funded until February. Notably, the proposal does not include additional aid for Israel or Ukraine.
The bill's passage has highlighted divisions within the Republican party, with hard-liners demanding steep cuts and conservative policy requirements. Despite backlash from these hard-liners, Johnson remains secure in his position due to his reputation as a conservative.
If the bill had not been passed, a government shutdown could have affected holiday travel and resulted in Transportation Security Administration officers and air traffic controllers working without pay. The bill continues funding at current levels and contains no policy conditions, making it a near-exact replica of a funding package Johnson had opposed six weeks prior.