Potential Government Shutdown? – Senate To Vote On Funding Bill

Alright, folks, today the Senate took baby steps towards giving the green light on a hefty government funding bill.

There’s a potential shutdown looming like a dark cloud.

They’ve got until midnight to get it passed or face a partial government shutdown and then lights turn off.

And this would effect many parts of the federal government up through September.

Though, I’m sure many of us would be thrilled.

The Senate is on track to pass a six-bill package on Friday to fund parts of the federal government through September and avoid a partial shutdown that is set to take effect at the end of the week. https://t.co/pxfU80W1v2

— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 8, 2024

NBC News reports:

WASHINGTON — The Senate inched Friday toward a final vote on a major government funding bill to keep a slew of agencies afloat through September. But the timing of a final vote remains up in the air, with the possibility of a brief shutdown lingering.

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A procedural vote Friday passed 63-35 in the afternoon, triggering up to 30 hours of debate. But speeding that up requires all 100 senators to agree, and numerous Republicans have demanded votes on amendments, including immigration-related measures seen as poison pills. Talks continued ahead of a midnight deadline, with aides uncertain that they could finish before a partial government shutdown takes effect on Saturday.

“It’s gotten a little complicated, unfortunately,” said Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D. “Hopefully we can avoid [a shutdown] but that’s going to involve the Democrats being willing to work with us on some amendment votes.”

Senate leaders face a tricky balance: If an amendment comes up and passes, it would disrupt the deal and send the bill back to the House, which would all but guarantee a shutdown.

“We have until tonight for the Senate to send an appropriations package to the president, or else the government will begin to shut down,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Friday. “I hope my Republican colleagues will work with us on a reasonable agreement so we can get this funding package done today and send it to the president’s desk before a shutdown.”

A partial government shutdown would affect the Departments of Justice, Commerce, Agriculture, Transportation and many other parts of the government. But it is expected to last less than 24 hours with limited impact during the weekend if senators miss the midnight deadline. The Senate has the vote to pass the funding bills, but members seeking amendment votes can delay passage until Saturday evening.

The 1,050-page measure is a package of six appropriations bills negotiated by Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., President Joe Biden and top appropriators in both parties and chambers.

The package passed the House on Wednesday by a vote of 339-85. After Senate passage, which is all but assured whenever the vote occurs, it will go to Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, the appropriations vice chair, warned that there will be “a partial government shutdown” if the bill doesn’t pass by midnight.

“Do we really want a veteran who has bravely and loyally served his country, and is now trying to file a claim for benefits, to find that the Veterans Benefits Administration’s doors are closed to him or her?” she asked. “Is that what we want to have happen?”

Next funding deadline: March 22

Update: The bill just passed as of this writing.

NEWS: Senate passes major government funding bill just in time to prevent a shutdown

The vote is 75-22

House passed this bill earlier.

Now it goes to Biden.

Next funding deadline: March 22. https://t.co/OkpI1ICAed

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) March 9, 2024

Breaking News: The Senate approved a $460 billion spending bill intended to avert a partial government shutdown tonight. President Biden is expected to sign it. https://t.co/6k46geM0H2

— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 9, 2024

Whew. That was a close one.

Looks like they’ll still be able to go back to work on Monday.

And we’re all so thrilled for them.

Though it still needs to go to Biden for approval.

Hopefully someone had the idea to place a small Ukraine flag sticker on the front of the bill to ensure Biden signs it right away.