House Passes Funding Bill That Heads to Senate Hours Before Deadline

What Happened?

The U.S. House passed a vote by 366 to 34 Friday on a bill to prevent a government shutdown and extend funding for federal workers in time for the holidays.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and fellow Congress members regrouped on Capitol Hill to craft the latest 118-page version of legislation just hours before a midnight deadline.

The package will fund the government at current levels through March 14, including $100 billion in disaster relief aid, and $10 billion in allocated aid assistance for farmers.

Not included is a measure to address the debt ceiling which President-elect Donald Trump strongly urged earlier in the week.

Trump and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) supported increasing the debt ceiling.

House Republicans have reportedly vowed to address the debt ceiling matter in a future tax bill once Trump enters office.

Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Rep. Tom Cole (R) told reporters that the short-term extension would give Trump 'an opportunity to participate in the process.'

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries added, 'Trying to jam a debt ceiling suspension into the legislation at the 11th hour was not sustainable.'

Republican leaders reportedly expressed confidence that the latest version of the bill was strong enough to attract a majority.

'We will not have a government shutdown, and we will meet our obligations,' Johnson told the press before the vote.

Congress members met Thursday to vote for a previous 116-page version that aimed to suspend the debt ceiling until January 2027.

But that version failed a 235 to 174 vote.

Lawmakers expressed frustrations surrounding the 1,547-page bill scheduled for a vote Wednesday which included add-ons and over $100 billion in unpaid-for spending.

Johnson had also reportedly vowed to give members 72 hours to read the bill before a vote.

The current bill now heads to the Senate where it is expected to pass before heading to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature.

Why it Matters

Congress must still work together as the path ahead under new presidential leadership will be tested to address the nation's ongoing debt crisis.

This new incoming presidential administration will include leadership influence from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Led by billionaire Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, DOGE aims to hold the government accountable for decisions directly relating to the nation's economic concerns and federal spending.

But reports highlight division among top Republicans over the best strategy to advance core components of Trump’s agenda.

How it Affects You

Congress will have to revisit a more concrete solution that may very well include addressing the debt ceiling debate.

Trump's new administration will consist of new strategic groups that aim to take a different approach that awaits in the new year.

Republicans, who will have full control of the White House, House, and Senate next year, may still face similar challenges to pass legislation, despite a slim majority.

It will be critical to see how a party with a majority displays its leadership among the public to help Americans rebound in the future.