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In a late-night vote, the Senate passed a funding bill early Saturday morning to keep the government open for three more months, narrowly avoiding a shutdown during the holiday season. The bill now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk, where he is expected to sign it promptly.
The Senate approved the measure with an 85-11 vote, hours after the Republican-controlled House passed it with overwhelming bipartisan support at 366-34. Although the House vote technically extended past the midnight deadline, White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Emilie Simons assured that government operations would continue uninterrupted.
“Agencies will not shut down and may continue normal operations,” Simons said on social media platform X.
The bill, funding the government at current levels through March 14, 2025, includes $100 billion in disaster aid and a one-year extension of the farm bill. However, it excludes a contentious debt ceiling extension demanded earlier in the week by President-elect Donald Trump.
Tumultuous Week in Congress
The passage marks the culmination of a tense and chaotic week in Washington. Earlier efforts to secure a broader funding agreement were derailed by last-minute demands from Trump and billionaire Elon Musk to either raise or eliminate the debt ceiling.
The final package, dubbed the American Relief Act of 2025, reflects a compromise forged under immense pressure. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., described the legislation as a critical win for bipartisan cooperation.
“Tonight, in bipartisan fashion, with overwhelming majority of votes, we passed the American Relief Act of 2025. This is a very important piece of legislation,” Johnson said.
Trump’s Influence Looms Large
Despite the bill’s passage, Trump’s shadow loomed over the proceedings. On Wednesday, the president-elect threatened to primary any Republican who supported a funding bill without a debt limit extension. By Friday, 170 House Republicans defied his demands, voting for the stopgap measure.
House Speaker Johnson, facing challenges to his leadership, pivoted multiple times throughout the week. His final “Plan C” omitted the debt ceiling provision, gaining enough bipartisan support to pass. Johnson maintained communication with both Trump and Musk during the negotiations, describing their input as significant but not determinative.
Musk endorsed the final bill on X, calling Johnson’s effort “a good job under the circumstances.”
Debt Limit Debate Deferred
While the funding bill averted an immediate crisis, it left unresolved the contentious issue of the debt ceiling, which remains suspended until early next year. Republicans have committed to significant spending cuts exceeding $2 trillion and plan to incorporate a debt ceiling increase into a future reconciliation package.
However, skepticism persists.
“They call that a gentleman’s agreement, I think. And there are no gentlemen up here, dude,” said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn.
Bipartisan Cooperation, For Now
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., praised the bipartisan efforts to avoid a shutdown but hinted at challenges ahead.
“This is good news for the American people, but the hard work of governing responsibly continues,” Schumer said.
With the funding deadline now pushed to March 2025, the stage is set for future battles over spending, debt, and the priorities of a divided government under the looming influence of President-elect Trump.
