Senate passes stopgap funding measure to avoid shutdown

As Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russian aggression, the Senate on Thursday adopted a short-term measure to keep federal agencies working until mid-December and provide the nation more than $12 billion in economic and military assistance.

The continuing resolution, often known as a stopgap measure, was approved by the upper house with a vote of 72 to 25 and keeps federal spending at the present level until December 16. Prior to a Friday night deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown, the measure will now go to the House before being sent for President Biden’s signature.

Although the short-term financing package is still anticipated to pass the Democrat-controlled house, House Republican leaders are lobbying their members to reject it.

The 237-page continuing resolution was presented by Democratic appropriators in the House and Senate late on Monday. It originally included a suggestion from West Virginia senator Joe Manchin to quicken federal environmental evaluations of energy and natural resource projects.

In return for his backing of a climate, health care, and tax package that met Mr. Biden’s top concerns, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had promised Manchin a vote on the permitting reform proposal this year.

However, Manchin’s permission proposal was met with resistance from both Democrats and Republicans. As a result, he requested Schumer to remove the proposal from the legislation, paving the path for its passage in the Senate.

The legislation also includes $1 billion to assist families with heating and cooling costs amid high consumer prices, $2.5 billion to help New Mexico recover from the most recent wildfire to hit the state, and $20 million in emergency funding for water and infrastructure improvements in Jackson, Mississippi, in addition to the $12.3 billion allocated to Ukraine.

The Biden administration’s request for more funds for its response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and outbreak of monkeypox was not included in the plan.