On Saturday, September 30, 2023, the Senate and House passed a 45-day measure to keep the federal government open and avoid a shutdown. The bipartisan bill, which passed by wide margins in both chambers, will fund government operations through November 17th.
While the bill does not include new aid for Ukraine, a priority for President Biden, it does increase federal disaster assistance by $16 billion to meet the president’s full request. The House passed the bill 335-91, with nearly every Democrat and most Republicans voting in favor. The Senate vote was 88-9, with unanimous Democratic support.
The temporary spending measure averts a shutdown that would have occurred at midnight Saturday without congressional action. However, Congress will still need to pass a more comprehensive funding bill by November 17th to avoid another potential shutdown.
The bill provides essential funding for federal agencies and programs including the Defense Department, Homeland Security, and the Environmental Protection Agency. It also covers federal employee salaries through mid-November. No new taxes or spending cuts are included.
The bipartisan compromise brings welcome relief to many Americans concerned about the impacts of a shutdown. Essential services will continue operating while Congress negotiates longer-term spending plans.
While only a temporary fix, the bill’s passage represents a productive compromise between parties to keep government running. Further bipartisan cooperation will be needed to pass a full-year budget and determine long-term spending priorities.
