House Passes Funding Bill To Avoid Shutdown & Approve Disaster Relief; Now Headed To The Senate

House Passes Funding Bill To Avoid Shutdown & Approve Disaster Relief; Now Headed To The Senate

The House passed a bill late Friday to avoid a government shutdown and approve $100 billion in disaster relief, just hours before a midnight deadline. The bipartisan measure, which passed 366-34, extends government funding through March 14 and includes $10 billion in aid for farmers. It now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to pass, with President Biden likely to sign it over the weekend.

The bill follows a chaotic week of negotiations after President-elect Donald Trump torpedoed an earlier agreement between House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democrats, demanding a suspension of the debt ceiling. The final version excluded the debt ceiling provision, securing broad support from both parties.

Johnson called the bill a necessary compromise to keep the government running and prepare for Republican control in January. Democrats praised the legislation for providing critical disaster aid while blocking GOP efforts to fast-track tax cuts for billionaires.