The Republican-controlled House passed a short-term bill to avoid a government shutdown just hours before a deadline that would have left many federal workers without pay during the holidays. The bill now goes to the Senate, which must pass it before midnight to prevent a shutdown. The package funds the government through March 14 and includes disaster aid and a one-year farm bill. President-elect Trump had demanded a debt limit extension, but the bill did not include this provision. Some House Republicans voted against the bill due to this omission. Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that the bill was important and vowed that things would be different when Trump returns to the White House. After a deal to keep the government funded was killed by Trump and Elon Musk, a new plan was put in place to avoid a shutdown. Johnson spoke with both Trump and Musk and received support for the plan. To address Trump’s demand to raise the debt ceiling, Republicans agreed to slash government spending and put a debt hike in a reconciliation package for next year. Senate Democrats called for a return to the original, bipartisan deal, accusing Musk of pulling Trump’s strings. Overall, the bill passed in the House, averting a shutdown and ensuring funds for disaster aid and other important programs.
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The House Approves Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown, Sends to Senate Ahead of Midnight Deadline
