President Joe Biden has signed legislation funding the government through September, ending a brief funding lapse that had senators working overtime to pass a $1.2 trillion government funding bill. The Senate narrowly passed the bill with a 74-24 vote after missing the midnight deadline, following the House’s earlier approval by a vote of 268-134.
Biden thanked Senate leaders and members for their leadership in passing the bill, which will fund various departments including State, Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security. This bill marks the end of a turbulent government funding process with a total spending level of $1.659 trillion.
Despite the late passage of the funding bill, the White House had ceased shutdown preparations as the brief lapse had no meaningful impact. However, senators expressed frustration with the lack of progress in passing funding measures earlier in the fiscal year.
The Senate narrowly averted multiple shutdowns this session with four stopgap bills, leading to heated exchanges between senators such as Tom Cotton and Jon Tester during discussions about the bill. The funding process has been characterized by delays and disagreements, leading to heightened tensions among lawmakers.
Overall, Congress completed the funding process with the passage of the bill, ensuring that the government will remain funded through September. With tensions running high and frustrations on full display, senators now look towards future funding measures with hopes of smoother negotiations and timelier resolutions.
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