US President Joe Biden signed a government funding bill into law Saturday, averting a potential government shutdown.
“This agreement represents a compromise, which means neither side got everything it wanted,” Biden said in a statement.
The legislation will fund federal operations through March 14 and allocates $100 billion in disaster aid, along with $10 billion in agricultural assistance.
The deal notably excludes President-elect Donald Trump’s demand for a debt ceiling extension.
“But it rejects the accelerated pathway to a tax cut for billionaires that Republicans sought, and it ensures the government can continue to operate at full capacity,” Biden added.
“That’s good news for the American people, especially as families gather to celebrate this holiday season.”
The bill passed with overwhelming support in both chambers, securing 366 votes in the House of Representatives and 85 in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer confirmed: “There will be no government shutdown.”
On early Saturday, the US Senate passed pivotal legislation to fund the government through March 14 and avoid a government shutdown, sending the legislation to PBiden's desk to sign it into law.
The bill saw widespread support in the chamber for the American Relief Act of 2025, mirroring an earlier vote in the House of Representatives that also enjoyed bipartisan support.
"Tonight, the Senate delivers more good news for America. There will be no government shutdown right before Christmas," Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor. "This is a good bill. It will keep the government open and fund and help Americans affected by hurricanes and natural disasters, help our farmers and avoid harmful cuts."
That bill included several provisions that were ultimately stripped from the version that passed late Friday, including funding for pediatric cancer research, pay raises for members of Congress, a crackdown on "junk fees" charged by ticket sellers and hotels, and restrictions on US investment in China.
The funding for children's cancer research was separately passed in a last-minute maneuver by Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine.
The White House said Biden will sign the paired-down spending bill on Saturday, and said federal agencies will not shut down because "obligations of federal funds are incurred and tracked on a daily basis."
The bill that cleared Congress ultimately forewent a demand from Trump to lift the debt ceiling - the amount of money the federal government is allowed to borrow. That provision caused dozens of Republicans to break ranks Thursday when a Trump-backed bill failed in spectacular fashion, sending House Speaker Mike Johnson scrambling to come up with the plan C that was passed Friday. ANADOLU
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