The US House of Representatives approved the short-term budget

Congressmen in the House of Representatives approved a bill that would fund the US government in two phases. Some departments will be provided with supplies until January 19. The rest, including the Ministry of Defense, until February 2. This version of a “continuing resolution” (temporary funding for government departments) was proposed on November 11 by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson.

The bill divided parties within Congress. 127 Republicans and 209 Democrats voted for the initiative. There were enough bipartisan supporters to pass the two-thirds vote needed to pass the bill (336 to 95). Ninety-three Republicans opposed it. Previously, they expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of cuts in the budgets of some departments and the programs they implement in the bill. Two Democrats voted with them.

The bill will now be sent to the Senate, where a vote will also take place. On November 14, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer announced his intention to consider the chamber’s proposal. The bill, approved by both houses of Congress, must be signed by Joe Biden. The White House said the president would sign the bill if it is approved in the Senate.

The procedure must be completed by November 17, when the previous “continuing resolution” expires. Otherwise, a shutdown will be declared in the United States, and most of the federal government will suspend activities. On September 30, former Speaker Republican Kevin McCarthy was able to avoid a shutdown through a similar resolution. Later, it was for this that party members initiated a procedure for his removal from office.