U.S. lawmakers reach deal to avoid pre-election shutdown

A seagull walks in entrance of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, U.S., September 20, 2024.
| Picture Credit score: PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW

U.S. congressional leaders introduced a deal on Sunday (September 22, 2024) to increase funding for the federal authorities till mid-December, averting a contentious shutdown just weeks forward of the election.

Authorities funding expires on the finish of September, and with Congress nowhere close to an settlement on a full-year funds, a stopgap measure — often known as a “persevering with decision” (CR) — was broadly anticipated.

Nevertheless, Republicans had demanded for weeks that any extension of funds be linked to new necessities that voters show their American citizenship, a push motivated by Donald Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread fraud in US elections.

A vote on a invoice combining the voting provisions with a six-month funding extension failed on Wednesday within the Republican-controlled Home.

The deal introduced Sunday (September 22) excludes the voting provisions and extends funding solely till December 20.

That also pushes the funding debate till nicely after the November 5 election, by which management of the Home, Senate and presidency are anticipated to be determined by skinny margins.

The subsequent Congress is seated shortly after the New 12 months, whereas the inauguration of the subsequent president — Republican Trump or Democrat Kamala Harris — takes place on January 20.

“Whereas I’m happy bipartisan negotiations rapidly led to a authorities funding settlement freed from cuts and poison drugs, this identical settlement may have been finished two weeks in the past,” Democrat Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority chief, stated in an announcement.

The invoice, which the Home is predicted to vote on this week, would additionally present a further $231 million for the US Secret Service, a significant enhance following the 2 makes an attempt on Trump’s life.

It additionally offers $47 million in further funding for safety in Washington for the presidential inauguration.

Republican Home Speaker Mike Johnson described the invoice in a letter to colleagues as “a really slim, bare-bones CR together with solely the extensions which might be completely needed.”

Mr. Trump had beforehand referred to as for Republicans to reject any persevering with decision except they received “each ounce” of the voting provisions they wished.

“Whereas this isn’t the answer any of us want, it’s the most prudent path ahead underneath the current circumstances,” Mr. Johnson stated on September 22.