The House has passed a bill to avert a partial government shutdown, just hours before the midnight federal funding deadline. The bill, which needed approval from two-thirds of the chamber, passed overwhelmingly in a 366 to 34 vote. All Democrats voted for the bill, except for Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who voted “present.”
The bill, a continuing resolution (CR) that extends current government funding levels through mid-March, was paired with just over $100 billion in disaster relief aid for victims of storms Helene and Milton, as well as assistance for the agriculture industry. The legislation bypassed regular House procedures to get a vote, with the requirement for a two-thirds majority, meaning Democratic support was crucial.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was optimistic about the bill’s chances, saying, “We will not have a government shutdown, and we will meet our obligations for our farmers who need aid, for the disaster victims all over the country and for making sure that military and essential services and everyone who relies upon the federal government for a paycheck is paid over the holidays.”
The bill, which excludes a debt limit increase, must still pass the Senate to reach President Biden’s desk. The president has said he would sign the bill into law if it reaches him.
