UPDATED: The threat of a funding lapse and a partial government shutdown came down to the wire with last minute passage in the House on Friday, following passage in the Senate the day prior. President Biden as expected then signed the stopgap spending bill to fund agencies at current levels through December 16.
The “continuing resolution” was held up in the Senate until Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., dropped his insistence that the measure include language affecting permitting of energy projects that has opposition from some in both parties. Manchin said he will continue to press that issue but that keeping the government funded was a higher priority with Congress planning to recess within days until after the elections. Other add-ons – including for Ukraine, disaster relief, and resettlement of Afghan refugees – weren’t enough to hold up the bill.
The White House meanwhile offered support for the bill even though it did not contain the administration’s requested additional funding for efforts to combat COVID-19 and monkeypox. The extension gives Congress several weeks after returning from its recess to enact funding for the balance of fiscal 2023.
Much work still lies ahead, though, as the House has passed only six of the regular appropriations bills and the Senate none.
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