The U.S. House of Representatives passed temporary funding to keep the American government running after the midterm elections, although the measure now faces demands for changes in the Senate, UNN reports citing Bloomberg.
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Current government funding is set to expire after September 30. The legislation, passed on Tuesday by a vote of 220 to 205, would extend it until December 4.
Speaker Mike Johnson managed to unite House Republicans in the face of opposition from minority Democrats, who argued the bill contains a loophole that could allow the administration to increase funding for immigration raids.
In the Senate, where none of the 12 spending bills have been passed, Democratic votes will be needed to pass regular government funding bills. The party currently opposes the maximum spending levels proposed by Republicans. A compromise on temporary funding is more achievable.
Republicans want to increase overall military spending next year by 50% to $1.5 trillion, while cutting funding for healthcare and other social services championed by Democrats. A final agreement on spending bills is not expected until the results of the November midterm elections are known.
Lawmakers are seeking to avoid a government shutdown shortly before the November midterm elections.
The government shut down last fall after Republicans rejected Democratic demands to extend Obamacare subsidies. And disagreements over immigration enforcement tactics following the murder of two U.S. citizens prompted Democrats to launch a record-long shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security this spring.
"Who wants a shutdown five weeks before an election?" said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar criticized the temporary bill for what he said is a loophole in the measure that would allow the Trump administration to redirect more funds to border security beyond the $70 billion already approved. He said the document also lacks provisions such as funding for new battleships, which the White House asked Congress to provide this week.
"All of these are signs that this is just a unserious proposal that is in no way prepared," Aguilar told reporters.
Republicans and Democrats in the Senate are expected to amend the House bill to include a range of provisions, including some proposed by the White House. These changes will require the House to vote again after returning from summer recess on August 31.
This week, House Republicans are also trying to use an expedited budget process to pass a separate $95 billion funding package for the war in Iran, farm aid, and election grants, over Democratic objections. Some Senate Republicans have expressed reservations about voting to fund the unpopular war with Iran just weeks before the midterm elections.
War with Iran cost the US $37.5 billion - Hegseth22.07.26, 05:32