Race On To Avert US Government Shutdown Just Hours Before Deadline, US House Passes Funding Bill

US Government shutdown is looming and the race is on to avert it. At 12 am on Friday (10:30 am on Saturday in India) the US government will begin to shut down unless a funding bill isn't passed by the US Senate and its is not signed by President Joe Biden. The US House of Representatives has passed a bill which will keep the government funded for several months.

What Is The Situation Now?

US House of Representatives, the lower house of the US Congress, passed the bill to keep US government funded for next few months.

The bill got 366 votes in favour and 34 against. One lawmaker voted present. US President-Elect Donald Trump had asked for debt ceiling suspension to be included in the bill but the measure was not included, in what was seen as an early sign of dissent of Republican Party lawmakers against Trump.

What Will Happen Now?

The spending bill getting greenlighted by the House is just the first step, it will now be sent to US Senate and if passed there, it will be sent to US President Joe Biden for his assent.

What makes this process important today because in order to avert government shutdown, the senate will have to hold a vote before midnight. President Biden may also have to burn some midnight oil to sign the bill.

What Will Happen If Government Shuts Down?

Government shutdown will impact the US considerably and the US federal workers will stop getting paid and they will thus, not work. This can potentially disrupt essential services and more.

Published on: Saturday, December 21, 2024, 09:59 AM IST