The U.S. Congress narrowly avoided a Christmastime government shutdown early Saturday, approving a bill to fund federal agencies through mid-March after tense, down-to-the-wire negotiations.
The Senate expedited the vote just minutes past the midnight deadline, halting shutdown preparations and ensuring over 800,000 federal workers would not be furloughed without pay.
Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer welcomed the resolution, stating, “It’s good news that the bipartisan approach in the end prevailed… It’s a good outcome for America and the American people.”
Although the Senate, controlled by Democrats, was expected to pass the funding package, concerns lingered that procedural delays might push the decision into next week, triggering a partial shutdown.
Such a scenario would have furloughed up to 875,000 non-essential workers and required 1.4 million essential employees to work without pay. National parks, monuments, and other attractions might also have closed, affecting millions of holiday visitors.
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The funding standoff underscored the challenges of navigating a sharply divided Congress.
While Democrats played a crucial role in helping the Republican-controlled House pass the bill earlier on Friday, the situation became more volatile due to unexpected 11th-hour pressure from President-elect Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk, appointed as his incoming “efficiency czar.”
They urged Republicans to renege on the hard-won bipartisan agreement, throwing negotiations into turmoil.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson ultimately managed to rally support for the bill, spending much of Friday in intensive strategy sessions with his team.
His success averted a shutdown that could have disrupted essential government functions, including law enforcement and other critical services, just as the holiday season approached.
The resolution brings temporary relief, ensuring government operations continue through March, but sets the stage for another potentially contentious funding battle in the months ahead.
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