On Sunday, congressional leaders reached an agreement on a short-term spending bill that will fund federal agencies for about three months, preventing a possible government shutdown when the new budget year begins on October 1st. This temporary funding will maintain current levels of agency funding with the addition of $231 million to bolster the Secret Service in response to two assassination attempts against Donald Trump and money to aid with the presidential transition. The agreement was reached after House Speaker Mike Johnson abandoned a mandate that would have required states to demand proof of citizenship for voter registration, a measure pushed by the most conservative members of his conference.
The temporary funding measure will extend into mid-December, giving the current Congress the opportunity to work on a full-year spending bill after the November 5th election. This approach allows the current Congress to handle the responsibility of crafting a budget without leaving it to the next Congress and president. The agreement was described as a “very narrow, bare-bones” bill that includes only essential extensions, according to Johnson. This move was seen as the most prudent path forward to avoid a government shutdown close to a crucial election, as shutting down the government would be considered political malpractice.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries welcomed the bipartisan agreement, stating that Congress is now on a path to avoid a government shutdown that could harm everyday Americans. Bipartisan negotiations led to the decision to extend funding until mid-December, a move that most lawmakers supported in order to prevent any interference with the upcoming election. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Johnson for wasting time with his earlier efforts, stating that a bipartisan approach was the only way to reach a successful agreement. The funding for the Secret Service also includes a requirement for the Department of Homeland Security to provide information to investigating committees regarding the assassination attempts against Trump.
The bipartisan majority is expected to pass the short-term spending bill this week, avoiding a government shutdown and providing temporary funding until mid-December. The upcoming election results could influence the final spending bill in December if one party gains a significant advantage, potentially prolonging the budget discussions into early next year. Despite the challenges ahead in reaching a final spending bill, lawmakers are optimistic about coming to an agreement and avoiding any disruptions to government operations. The Secret Service’s funding will address immediate needs, with the agency engaging with Congress to secure the necessary resources for ensuring the safety and security of public officials.
