
President Joe Biden Signs $1.2 Trillion Spending Package, Averting Government Shutdown
President Biden signed $1.2 trillion spending bill, ending budget struggle, and averting government shutdown, funding agencies till October.

On March 12, President Joe Biden signed into law a $1.2 trillion spending package approved by Congress, ensuring the government's funding until October 1 of this year.
End of a Lengthy Battle
This action by the president brings an end to a prolonged period of uncertainty, as Congress grappled to secure a permanent budget resolution. The previous months saw the passage of stopgap measures in an attempt to prevent government shutdowns.
Last-minute Senate Approval
The Senate's endorsement of the budget came in a 74-24 vote around 2 a.m. ET on Saturday, just two hours after the funding deadline due to final-hour disagreements. Notably, the White House stated that shutdown operations would not commence, given the finalization of the deal and the presence of only procedural actions.
House Approval and Stumbling Blocks
Prior to this, the House had also passed the budget after contending with a lingering issue concerning funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The White House's objections had caused further delays in the negotiation process. Notably, this trillion-dollar package comprises six appropriation bills to fund various agencies, including those related to defense, financial services, homeland security, health, and human services.
Political Ramifications
While the government's funding for the fiscal year is now assured, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., finds himself facing potential challenges. A group of hardline House Republicans publicly criticized the spending package before it was narrowly passed by the House. Subsequently, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia initiated a motion to oust Speaker Johnson, reminiscent of the events that led to the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October.
Implications for Speaker Johnson
Speaker Johnson has strived to pacify the hardline Republican faction in the House, known as the Freedom Caucus, in order to avoid a fate similar to that of his predecessor.
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