U.S. Congress Discusses Bill to Avoid Partial Government Shutdown

Congress negotiators in the U.S. presented a bill yesterday, Sunday, to fund key government agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year that began in October, as lawmakers faced another threat of a partial shutdown if they failed to act by Friday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that the legislation sets an estimated spending level of $1.66 trillion for fiscal year 2024. The bill includes some details of the agreement reached between Schumer and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson in early January. Last week, lawmakers approved the fourth temporary measure since October 1 to maintain government funding and established deadlines for themselves, with funding for certain agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the Food and Drug Administration, running out on March 8 and a partial shutdown for most other federal agencies on the 22nd of the same month. The 1,050-page bill details funding for six out of the dozens of government sectors Congress has tasked with allocating funds, with the next group of six agencies to be decided later this month. Although congressional leaders have agreed on the bill, it still faces some challenges, particularly from House Republicans, who have repeatedly called for significant spending cuts and do not typically vote in favor of spending bills.