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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has enacted a new law that ensures government funding will continue until the end of September, alleviating concerns over a potential partial government shutdown. This comes after a contentious debate in Congress, which exposed significant divisions among Democrats.
Harrison Fields, the principal deputy press secretary at the White House, confirmed via a post on X that the continuing resolution was signed by Trump on Saturday.
The newly passed legislation largely maintains government funding at the levels established during President Joe Biden’s administration, although it incorporates some modifications. Notably, it reduces non-defense discretionary spending by approximately $13 billion compared to the previous fiscal year, while simultaneously increasing defense expenditure by about $6 billion. These adjustments are relatively small when considering the overall spending level of nearly $1.7 trillion.
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The Senate passed the funding measure on Friday with a vote of 54-46, reflecting strong party-line allegiance. Despite opposition from some members of their own party, 10 Senate Democrats assisted in advancing the legislation to passage, urged on by calls from their House colleagues advocating for a rejection of the bill.
Democratic senators publicly debated the merits of a government shutdown, expressing frustration that the Republican-dominated House had drafted and pushed the spending bill forward without enlisting their input. Critics within the party argue that the legislation compromises crucial areas such as health care, housing, and other vital services, while granting Trump substantial authority to maneuver federal funds. They have expressed concerns regarding the potential dismantling of congressionally approved agencies and programs by the current administration and the Department of Government Efficiency.
Ultimately, a majority of Democratic senators concluded that a government shutdown would pose a greater risk than passing the current funding bill. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer emphasized that a shutdown could empower the Trump administration to classify entire agencies and their staff as non-essential, resulting in furloughs without guarantees of reemployment. Schumer remarked, “A shutdown will allow DOGE to shift into overdrive. Donald Trump and Elon Musk would be free to destroy vital government services at a much faster rate.”
The successful passage of the funding bill in the House earlier in the week marked a notable achievement for Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, who managed to unify Republican support to push through the bill without Democratic backing—a feat that has been infrequent in recent legislative sessions.
Source
globalnews.ca