Congress prevents government shutdown, approves Ukraine aid
The US Congress has successfully averted a government shutdown by passing an 11th-hour funding bill, allowing federal agencies to continue functioning for an additional 45 days. This decision came just three hours before the midnight deadline, following intense negotiations and high-stakes brinkmanship on Capitol Hill. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law soon.
Notably, the funding bill excluded aid for war-torn Ukraine, a request made by President Biden. The crisis leading to this point was primarily caused by a group of hardline Republicans who defied their own party’s leadership, rejecting temporary funding proposals in favor of deep spending cuts. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy proposed the “continuing resolution” as millions of public workers faced the possibility of unpaid leave, which would have disrupted various government functions, including military operations and food aid.
This development may have political consequences, as McCarthy’s position as Speaker of the House is now at risk due to the opposition of the 21 hardline Republicans who opposed the stopgap measure. However, McCarthy remains optimistic about reaching a final agreement within the new 45-day timeframe.
While the bill temporarily averts a government shutdown, it raises questions about the long-term political support for providing multibillion-dollar assistance to Ukraine in its struggle against the Russian invasion. Some lawmakers expressed concerns about providing foreign aid while emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility.
In summary, the US Congress’ passage of the stopgap funding bill prevented a government shutdown but left out aid to Ukraine, highlighting divisions within the Republican Party and raising questions about future assistance to Ukraine.
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