Aiexpress – President Joe Biden signed a short-term spending bill on Friday, ensuring the continued operation of the federal government until early March.
The bill prevents a partial government shutdown from occurring on Saturday. However, it does not address the issue of providing additional aid for Ukraine, which is still uncertain as lawmakers negotiate a border security measure that would also include more support for Kyiv.
Congress passed the short-term bill with significant bipartisan majorities on Thursday, just before the winter snowstorm hit Washington, D.C. The Senate voted 77-18, while the House voted 314-108.
The bill extends funding for agencies that oversee agriculture, veterans affairs, energy, transportation, and housing until March 1. The funding for the remaining federal government will now run through March 8. The purpose of this extension is to provide lawmakers with additional time to draft full-year spending bills until the end of the fiscal year on September 30.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., will face ongoing pressure from House conservatives to reject a bipartisan agreement that establishes the total spending levels for those full-year bills at $1.66 trillion. These conservatives argue that the allocated funds are excessive. However, Democrats and moderate Republicans emphasize the importance of honoring the deal to prevent legislative dysfunction in an election year.
