US Congress Averts Government Shutdown, For Now
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Americans woke up Sunday with crucial state institutions still functioning after U.S. President Joe Biden signed a stopgap bill to avert a government shutdown.
He inked the legislation following the U.S. Congress move to adopt the bill hours ahead of a critical midnight deadline when funding for federal agencies was set to run out.
However, the U.S. could still face troubles in November as legislators only passed a 45-day extension of the previous budget.
Critics quickly pointed out that only means the U.S. Congress will have six more weeks to agree on the final budget. If they don’t, the nation could face another government shutdown, creating further financial instability.
From being unable to visit the Florida Everglades, the famed natural region of flooded grasslands, to federal government employees missing out on a paycheck, millions would feel the effects if that were to happen.
Congress must still pass 12 spending bills to avoid a government shutdown in 45 days. The Senate has passed zero of those 12 bills,” said Gregory Koger, a political science professor at the University of Miami.
BUDGET NOT FINALIZED
If Congress doesn’t finalize the budget in 45 days, all non-essential government operations will shut down.
“That includes national parks, that includes processing Visa applications, so that the immigration system will be slowed down tremendously, that probably affects a lot of people in Miami directly,” Kroger told broadcaster CBS News.
The U.S. Senate approved the stopgap spending measure to avert a government shutdown with just three hours to spare in a Saturday night vote. The final vote was 88-9.
The House passed the short-term spending bill to fund the government for another 45 days Saturday afternoon.
The bill, also known as a continuing resolution (CR), passed the House 335 to 91 and caused lawmakers to break out into applause amid the pressure of a shutdown.
But with little time left to find a lasting solution for the U.S. budget and the nation’s multi-trillions in debts, the political battles had just begun.
Latest Worthy News
If you are interested in articles produced by Worthy News, please check out our FREE sydication service available to churches or online Christian ministries. To find out more, visit Worthy Plugins.