US Congress has successfully avoided a Christmas government shutdown after passing a bill that funds federal agencies through mid-March. The bill was passed just minutes after the midnight deadline, following intense negotiations that stretched until the last moment.
In an unusual move, senators bypassed standard procedures to fast-track the bill, halting preparations for a shutdown and securing paychecks for over 800,000 federal workers at risk of being sent home without pay.
“It’s good news that the bipartisan approach in the end prevailed. It’s a good outcome for America and the American people,” Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor, celebrating the bipartisan effort.
While the Democrats hold the Senate majority, there were concerns that the bill might be delayed as senators took their time with the complex legislation. Had negotiations spilled into the following week, up to 875,000 workers could have been furloughed, and another 1.4 million could have been required to work without pay. Non-essential government functions would have been suspended, including the closure of parks, monuments, and national sites, just as millions of visitors were expected to visit.
The legislation, passed by both chambers of Congress, includes $110 billion in disaster aid and financial relief for farmers. It is largely the same as a funding bill that failed in a vote on Thursday, with one key difference: the removal of a two-year suspension of the nation’s self-imposed borrowing limit, a demand made by former President Donald Trump.
The latest round of drama in the budget negotiations was largely driven by Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk. Musk, who has been involved in influencing the Republican Party’s stance, pushed Republicans to abandon the initial funding bill that had been negotiated with Democrats. His involvement sparked criticism, particularly from Democrats, questioning how an unelected figure could hold such influence over the party’s decisions.
There was also rising frustration among Republicans, as Musk’s social media posts, many of which were inaccurate, put pressure on lawmakers to reconsider their positions. “Last time I checked, Elon Musk doesn’t have a vote in Congress,” said Georgia House Republican Rich McCormick. “He has influence, but I have 760,000 people that voted for me to do the right thing for them.”
Despite the challenges, House Speaker Mike Johnson remained optimistic, telling reporters that the political landscape would change significantly in January when Trump returns to office. “Things are going to be very different around here,” Johnson said, referencing the expected return of a Republican-controlled Congress.
