WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives concurred with the Senate Thursday and passed a short-term spending bill that will see the federal government funded until Dec. 3.
Update 7:51 p.m. EDT Sept. 30: President Joe Biden signed the legislation that would avoid a partial federal shutdown, keeping the government funded through Dec. 3.
“Thank you to Chairman Patrick Leahy, Vice Chairman Richard Shelby, Chair Rosa DeLauro and ranking member Kay Granger for their leadership,” Biden said in a statement.
Federal Government Shutdown Averted.
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) September 30, 2021
President Biden signed the CR into law extending gov't funding past tonight's midnight deadline through December 3rd. pic.twitter.com/HHtCF2OHW0
Update 3:45 p.m. EDT Sept. 30: The House passed the measure in a 254-175 vote.
The House concurred in the in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5305 Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act by a vote of 254-175.
— House Press Gallery (@HouseDailyPress) September 30, 2021
Earlier, the Senate gave the bill its approval in a 65-35 vote.
U.S. Senate APPROVES short-term spending bill to fund federal government through December 3rd, 65-35.
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 30, 2021
Goes now to the U.S. House. pic.twitter.com/pHIam8FXPN
In addition to funding the government, bill will “provide funding to help process and resettle Afghan refugees and finally deliver on critical disaster aid for Americans battered by storms and wildfires this summer,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, according to CNN.
Update 3:15 p.m. EDT Sept. 30: The House has begun voting on the short-term spending bill passed earlier by the Senate.
Happening Now: U.S. House vote on short-term spending bill to fund federal government through December 3rd - LIVE on C-SPAN https://t.co/QE4JpWjbj3 pic.twitter.com/2BQjdqIMPZ
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 30, 2021
Original report: Thursday’s Senate vote came after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said late Wednesday that an agreement had been reached on a continuing resolution to fund government operations at current spending levels.
>> Related: Schumer: Senate reaches deal to avoid government shutdown; vote set for Thursday
The deal allowed Republicans to vote on a series of amendments, including ones that targeted Afghan aid and money to implement pending vaccine requirements for businesses as outlined by President Joe Biden, according to The Washington Post. It also stripped out a measure that would have raised the debt limit and allowed the federal government to continue borrowing funds through 2022, according to The New York Times. Republicans say Democrats have the votes to raise the debt limit on their own, and Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is insisting they do so.
>> Related: Government shutdown: What happens to Social Security, SNAP, VA benefits and more?
“This is a good outcome — one I am happy we are getting done,” Schumer said Thursday, according to The Associated Press. “With so many things happening in Washington, the last thing the American people need is for the government to grind to a halt.”
Funds are set to expire at midnight if the bill fails to pass the House, according to The Washington Post. If it succeeds, it will next go to President Joe Biden for his signature.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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