Senate approves measure that avoids a government shutdown for now – Telemundo Washington DC (44)

The Senate on Thursday approved a continuing resolution to extend government funding deadlines through the end of March and avoid a government shutdown that would have begun this weekend.

With all Democrats voting, the resolution was approved by 77 votes to 13 (all Republicans), according to NBC News.

The House of Representatives had approved this measure earlier So it now goes to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature.

In the House of Representatives, 97 Republicans and two Democrats (Representatives Auchincloss and Quigley) voted against the resolution. The resolution was approved by nearly twice as many Democratic votes (207) as Republican votes (113).

Under the new plan, Congress would temporarily extend funding for one group of federal agencies through March 8 and another group through March 22, as long as both Republicans and Democrats agree to a broader funding plan for the remainder of the budget fiscal year.

Congressional leaders announced the agreement Wednesday night, saying they “agree that Congress must work in a bipartisan manner to fund our government.”

Public funding for agriculture, transportation, military construction and some services for veterans expires on Friday.

Funding for the rest of the government, including the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, expires a week later, on March 8, the day after Biden's State of the Union address in Congress.

The agreement stipulates voting on six of the 12 annual spending bills before the end of next week.

Congressional leaders said the one-week extension was necessary to allow appropriations committees “adequate time to implement this agreement in principle” and give lawmakers time to review the text of the package.

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Lawmakers will then have an additional two weeks to approve six other spending bills to fully fund the government through September.

The plan depends on negotiators reaching broader agreements to fund the government through the end of the budget year, September 30, and avoiding more short-term measures.