House lawmakers reached a bipartisan agreement just before a midnight deadline to keep the government funded, avoiding a partial shutdown. The Senate vote on the spending package is pending, with uncertainty regarding timing. The bill must pass the Senate before reaching President Biden’s desk for approval. A lapse in government funding over the weekend may not be noticeable to the public. The House approved the measure with a strong majority. Elon Musk’s criticism of a previous stopgap bill led to its failure earlier in the week. The new bill, named the American Relief Act of 2025, was lauded by House Speaker Mike Johnson as a crucial piece of legislation. The agreement was reached after Republicans removed a provision sought by Trump to raise the borrowing limit until after the 2026 election. The spending legislation only delays decisions on funding priorities until March, with unresolved disagreements still present among parties. Republicans aim to reclaim control in both chambers in January and pursue an ambitious agenda. The bill faced opposition from some lawmakers for lacking substantial provisions beyond basic government funding. Bipartisan compromise on the bill was disrupted by Musk’s threats and internal party disputes. The final agreement was met after two failed attempts to secure funding extensions. A government shutdown was averted, preventing furloughs and other consequences for federal employees and services. The conflict reflects the dysfunction and relative lack of productivity in Congress.
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House reaches bipartisan deal at last minute, but Senate vote still pending
