Senate Votes on Spending Bill

The Senate approved the latest iteration of the spending measure with a decisive vote of 85 to 11, sending the legislation to President Biden’s desk. Biden has already indicated his intention to sign the bill into law.

Original Proposal Sparks Controversy

An initial proposal, released earlier in the week, encompassed a substantial 1,547-page document filled with various policy provisions and disaster relief funding. However, this original agreement faced immediate backlash from a range of conservative figures, including billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.

Musk, alongside other critics, condemned the proposal, frustrating Republican leaders and aligning themselves with statements made by former President Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Their joint declaration classified the bill as flawed, urging Republicans to adopt a more assertive bargaining strategy with Democrats.

“Republicans must GET SMART and TOUGH. If Democrats threaten to shut down the government unless we give them everything they want, then CALL THEIR BLUFF,” Trump and Vance stated in a public address opposed to the bill.

Financial Overview and Legislative Adjustments

The original spending measure aimed to maintain government funding levels for the fiscal year 2024 until March 14 while providing over 0 billion in disaster assistance to areas impacted by recent storms, Helene and Milton. Additionally, a provision for billion dedicated to helping struggling farmers was proposed.

As of Thursday, the U.S. national debt had surged to over trillion, raising concerns among many lawmakers about the government’s financial health and fiscal responsibility.

Back to the Drawing Board

Following the backlash, House Republicans regrouped and unveiled a new proposal on Thursday that similarly sought to extend current funding levels for three months. This revised bill also included a two-year suspension of the debt limit at Trump’s request, along with significant economic relief measures for farmers and roughly 0 billion earmarked for disaster relief.

However, this updated proposal failed to garner the necessary support on the House floor that evening, as Democrats and a substantial faction of Republicans united in opposition.

Further Developments and Tensions

By Friday, no clear agreement between Democrats and Republicans had emerged, increasing the potential for a government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray issued statements affirming that without a return to the original proposal, a shutdown was imminent.

“I’m ready to stay here through Christmas because we’re not going to let Elon Musk run the government,” Murray stated firmly, emphasizing the urgency of reaching an agreement.

Schumer, during his remarks on the Senate floor, asserted that the original bill could pass in the House if it was brought to the floor for a vote led by Speaker Mike Johnson.

The Final Legislation

The third version of the spending bill, which ultimately succeeded in both the House and Senate, bore similarities to the previous proposal that failed. It retained much of the economic relief for farmers and disaster aid for recent storm victims but notably omitted any suspension of the debt ceiling — a request initially championed by Trump.

The House voted to pass the short-term spending bill with a resounding 366 votes in favor, easily surpassing the two-thirds requirement necessary for passage.