The House of Representatives approved a short-term government funding bill on Tuesday to avert a government shutdown at the end of next week.
A measure approved by the House would extend funding through March 11 instead of expiring when it currently does on February 1, CNN reported.
Bipartisan support enabled the legislation to pass the bill with a vote of 272-162.
Having passed the stopgap bill, known as a ‘continuing resolution,’ it must now be approved by the Senate before it can be sent to President Joe Biden for signing.
As members of Congress work toward a full-year funding agreement on a bipartisan basis, passing the bill by both chambers would mark the latest short-term funding bill passed by Congress.
The Bipartisan agreement exists on the need for a broader funding agreement. However, there is bipartisan concern about the limitations imposed on federal agencies if funding is only provided through stopgap measures.
On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate would take up the bill.
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“While negotiations on a full year funding agreement continue, we will, in the meantime, avoid a pointless and costly government shutdown,” Schumer explained, adding that the stopgap measure “provides a little more time to reach a deal for a spending package.”
Hoyer said he is hopeful that Democrats and Republicans will be able to reach a funding deal agreement by the week of March 7 and that the omnibus can be brought to the floor as soon as then.
“We are, I think, close to an agreement,” Hoyer said to reporters.
Rosa DeLauro, chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, said the “country needs a government funding agreement to create good-paying jobs, grow opportunity for the middle class, and protect our national security.”
“We are close to reaching a framework government funding agreement, but we will need additional time to complete the legislation in full,” the Connecticut Democrat said, adding that the stopgap legislation will “keep government up and running while Congress completes our important work.”