The U.S. Senate has approved a crucial budget deal aimed at preventing the first federal government shutdown since 2019. This decision follows the House of Representatives’ endorsement of the same legislation just hours earlier.
The budget measure passed overwhelmingly, with a vote tally of 85-11 shortly after a midnight deadline.
Notably absent from the bill is a contentious demand for an increase in the federal borrowing limit, highlighting the challenges faced by the incoming administration in rallying support from Republican lawmakers.
This budget plan is now on its way to President Joe Biden for final approval.
The Senate’s voting session concluded around 12:30 AM (05:30 GMT), with bipartisan support from both Democrats and Republicans. Failure to pass this funding agreement could have resulted in a temporary unpaid leave for millions of federal employees.
A government shutdown would have adversely affected various public services, including national parks, food assistance programs, and funding for preschools, as well as aid for farmers and disaster recovery efforts.
The last shutdown occurred during the Trump administration in 2019, lasting a record-breaking 35 days.
Earlier in the week, lawmakers had brokered a deal to finance government operations, but it collapsed after pressure from certain party leaders urged Republicans to oppose it.
The revised “American Relief Act, 2025” excludes the debt-limit provision that had become a point of contention, appeasing both Democratic and some Republican concerns.
While the initial bill included provisions for a long-overdue pay raise for lawmakers and federal funding for infrastructure, the final agreement allocates $100 billion for disaster relief and $10 billion in aid for agriculture.
Democratic representatives have voiced their discontent over the influence exerted by outside figures during the negotiation process, emphasizing the problematic involvement of unelected individuals in legislative decisions.
During discussions, Republicans expressed optimism about a “new era” with the incoming administration and a Republican majority in Congress, although the Senate still remains under Democratic control.
The budget negotiations have left House Speaker Mike Johnson facing criticism from within his party regarding his management of the legislative process.
Following the vote, Johnson thanked his colleagues for their cooperation, asserting that this achievement positions them for significant developments in the upcoming session, commencing in January.
He revealed that he had maintained regular communication with key figures during the negotiations, as differences within the party surfaced over the budgetary approach.
Highlighting the implications of this budget confrontation, experts foresee potential conflicts in future legislative sessions.
