Senate passes short-term government funding bill, avoids shutdown

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)- The Senate was able to pass a short-term government funding bill from the House of Representatives, avoiding an immediate shutdown crisis.

The Senate voted 87-11 to clear the temporary funding patch and sent it to President Biden, who is expected to sign it just days before a deadline at midnight on Friday.

The measure saw near-unanimous support from Democrats and pushed the temporary bill over the opposition of nearly half the House Republicans.

But Congress will only have a few months to reach a government-wide spending agreement.

Wednesday proved how difficult it will be for lawmakers to come up with a unanimous deal.

“We must finish passing President Biden’s emergency supplemental with aid to Israel, Ukraine, humanitarian assistance for innocent civilians in Gaza and funds for the Indo Pacific,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said. “We will keep working with Leader McConnell on a way forward.”

The bill sets up two deadlines for early 2024, with money for some agencies running out on January 19th. The rest would run out on February 2nd.

It continues funding at current levels, but Republicans are expected to keep demanding steep cuts and conservative policy requirements.

Senator Pete Ricketts, representing Nebraska, released a statement after the vote. He took a positive approach, saying the bill keeps the government open and avoids increased Democrat spending.

As we look forward to January and February deadlines, Ricketts says his priority remains to maintain an open government, a closed border and reigned-in spending.