The US Senate has approved a stopgap US government funding bill, avoiding a shutdown after a midnight deadline. President Joe Biden signed the measure on Saturday morning, the White House confirmed.
The Senate voted 85-11 in favor of the bill, following an overwhelming 366-34 House vote. Although the bill passed 38 minutes after the deadline, no shutdown procedures were invoked.
The funding bill extends federal funding at current levels through March 14, 2025, allocating an additional $100 billion for disaster relief and $10 billion in farmer aid.
Political Clashes Over the Bill
The bill defied Donald Trump’s demand for a debt-limit suspension, marking a political defeat for the president-elect. Trump had pushed for a suspension while Biden remained in office to avoid a fiscal battle early in his new administration.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, celebrated the bill’s passage, saying Trump was “happy with the outcome.” Meanwhile, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called it “a victory for the American people”, emphasizing that House Democrats played a key role in securing the vote.
Had a shutdown occurred, it would have led to thousands of furloughed federal workers and disrupted holiday travel, reminiscent of the longest shutdown in US history (December 2018) during Trump’s first term.
Musk’s Influence and Republican Backlash
Trump’s push for a debt ceiling suspension was fueled by billionaire Elon Musk, who criticized an earlier bipartisan funding deal. Musk, a vocal Trump supporter, warned lawmakers against supporting the bill, leading to internal Republican division.
The House ultimately rejected Trump’s revised proposal, which included his debt limit demand, by a 174-235 vote, delivering a major setback to Trump.
Divided GOP and Future Challenges
While Trump remains a dominant force in the Republican Party, the funding bill’s passage exposed fractures within GOP ranks. Some Republicans even suggested Musk as a potential House Speaker, signaling dissatisfaction with Johnson’s leadership.
Trump’s debt ceiling battle is far from over, as he will now have to navigate fiscal negotiations once he takes office on January 20, 2025. Johnson remains optimistic, stating, “Things will be very different next year,” hinting at Republican-led spending reforms.
As the US government funding bill secures operations through March, all eyes remain on Trump’s next move and how the new administration will handle budget debates in 2025.
