Congress Avoids Government Shutdown with Spending Bill, Omits Trump’s Debt Ceiling Proposal
After a turbulent week, Congress successfully passed a spending package late Friday, narrowly averting a government shutdown. The measure will fund federal operations at current levels through mid-March and provide $110 billion in disaster relief and agricultural aid, including an extension of the Farm Bill, which supports loans and conservation efforts for farmers.
Despite missing the midnight deadline, the Senate approved the legislation early Saturday morning by a vote of 85 to 11, following the House’s overwhelming support of 366 to 34. President Joe Biden signed the bill later that day, ensuring continuity of government operations.
“This agreement is a compromise—neither side got everything it wanted,” Biden said in a statement. “But it ensures the government remains fully operational and rejects the Republican push for an accelerated tax cut for billionaires.”
The Office of Management and Budget clarified that government operations were not disrupted, as the Senate was expected to pass the bill shortly after midnight.
Debt Ceiling Clash
The spending package notably excluded President-elect Donald Trump’s demand to raise the debt ceiling before he assumes office. Trump had pushed for an increase to shift responsibility for future borrowing to Biden.
Republicans are instead exploring an informal agreement to raise the debt limit by $1.5 trillion early next year while committing to cut $2.5 trillion in future spending. However, this deal is non-binding and will not require a formal vote.
Democratic Priorities Left Behind
The bill also omitted key Democratic priorities, including provisions for funding pediatric cancer research.
Bipartisan Support and Criticism
House Speaker Mike Johnson received bipartisan praise for shepherding the bill through the House, though some Republicans and Democrats expressed disappointment over the concessions. Among Republicans, 34 opposed the measure, while one Democrat voted “present.”
Elon Musk, co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency, initially questioned whether the package leaned Republican or Democrat but later congratulated Johnson in a post on X as the voting concluded.
While Congress has bought time with this short-term measure, contentious debates over the debt ceiling and long-term spending priorities loom in the months ahead.
