In a nail-biting session on Friday, the U.S. Senate approved a stopgap funding bill that will keep government spending at current levels until March 14 – a six‐month extension from when the current funds were set to expire. With a 54-46 vote in the upper chamber and a 217-213 split in the House, the measure passed amid tight partisan divisions.
This last-minute action comes as Congress repeatedly resorts to short-term spending bills due to intense partisan conflicts. Normally, annual appropriations should be finalized before October 1 to ensure smooth government operations. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, who initially opposed the bill because it included little Democratic input, reversed his position, arguing that a full shutdown would have far graver consequences.
Now heading to President Donald Trump for signature, the bill highlights the dramatic, behind-the-scenes negotiations that keep the wheels of government turning. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story! 🚀🗳️
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U.S. Senate approves six-month funding bill to avert shutdown
cgtn.com
