Government Passes Funding Bill to Avoid Shutdown

Lawmakers avoided a government shutdown last night when President Biden signed Congress’ stopgap funding bill to extend funding through December 3rd. The funding was set to expire at midnight but Democratic congressional leaders who control both chambers of congress projected with confidence that the government would remain open. The bill passed the House and Senate earlier in the day with a bipartisan vote.. The stopgap will also provide funding ‘to help process and resettle Afghan refugees and finally deliver on critical disaster aid for Americans battered by storms and wildfires this summer.’

In a statement, President Biden said “the passage of this bill reminds us that bipartisan work is possible and it gives us time to pass longer-term funding to keep our government running and delivering for the American people.”