
House Passes $1.2 Trillion Government Funding Bill, Senate's Approval Needed to Prevent Shutdown
House passed $1.2 trillion funding bill to Senate. If not approved, partial government shutdown. Biden urged quick approval. Conflicting opinions on bill.

In a significant move, the House of Representatives voted 286-134 in favor of a comprehensive $1.2 trillion government funding bill on Friday. The bill, crucial for preventing a government shutdown, was swiftly sent to the Senate just hours before the impending deadline.
Senate Approval and Potential Shutdown
The Senate subsequently voted 78-18 to advance the bill procedurally. However, a final vote with the unanimous consent of all 100 senators is required to bypass remaining hurdles and approve the bill before the midnight deadline. Failure to do so would result in a partial government shutdown on Saturday morning.
President's Call for Prompt Action
President Joe Biden has urged Congress to expedite the passing of the bill, stating his intention to promptly sign it. Despite acknowledging the imperfect process, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., emphasized the positive outcome for the American people.
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Bill Allocation and Funding
The bill, unveiled early Thursday, allocates funding to several key departments including Homeland Security, State, Labor, Defense and Health and Human Services, among others. Combined with the previously passed $459 billion bill earlier this month, the total funding for the federal government amounts to $1.659 trillion through September, culminating months of stopgap measures and negotiations.
Senate's Role and Expectations
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., expressed confidence in the bill's eventual passage, highlighting the dependence on a small number of Senate Republicans. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, emphasized the motivation of the Senate to swiftly approve the bill, attributing it to the impending two-week recess.
Legislative Negotiations and Key Points
The legislation was the result of negotiations involving House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., top appropriators from both parties, and the White House. Notably, both parties touted specific achievements, with Democrats emphasizing the defeat of proposed cuts and the exclusion of abortion restrictions. Conversely, GOP leaders celebrated increased immigration funding for border agents and detention beds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Republican Concerns and Criticisms
During the proceedings, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, voiced dissatisfaction with the limited review time for the bill and criticized fellow Republicans for failing to secure desired immigration restrictions. This sentiment was echoed by leaders of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, who labeled the bill as "capitulation" and "surrender."
Future Actions and Congressional Dynamics
Despite the critique, there was no explicit mention of seeking personnel changes or leadership adjustments within the GOP. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., expressed reluctance in pursuing motions for leadership changes, citing concerns about potential outcomes.
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