The Senate took a step to avoid another government shutdown by approving by 90 votes to 6 a bill that maintains federal funding until December 11. The measure broadly preserves current spending levels and now remains in the hands of the House of Representatives, where its future is less clear.
The vote reflects an attempt by leaders of both parties to buy time before the fiscal year ends on September 30. According to information reported by CBS News, the agreement includes provisions that Democrats consider relevant, including the closing of a loophole that had prevented certain funds from being transferred to the Border Patrol after the administration refused to fund agencies related to immigration control.
The Chamber will be the next obstacle
According to the aforementioned media, the problem for the project could appear when the House returns from its recess on August 31. Although Republicans previously approved a measure to fund the government through December, there are important differences from the Senate-backed version.
One of the most controversial provisions temporarily limits the ability of administration political officials to enforce a rule related to federal grants. Democrats maintain that such a regulation would allow the administration to cancel aid and “withhold even more federal funds,” while some Republicans could also reject the restriction included now.
Republican Senator Susan Collins, chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, defended the agreement and stressed that it avoids including provisions that could complicate its approval. House Speaker Mike Johnson will have to decide whether to bring the text to the floor or seek to modify it.
With two government shutdowns recorded in the last 12 months, Congress again has just a few weeks to reach an agreement. And with midterm elections approaching, both parties have incentives to prevent a new budget dispute from paralyzing the government.
