US House Passes $1.2 Trillion Spending Bill, Averting Shutdown
The US House of Representatives has passed a massive $1.2 trillion spending package, ending a four-day threat of a government shutdown and funding federal operations through the fiscal year.
Key Takeaways
- The bill passed the House with a 286-134 vote and now heads to the Senate.
- It funds key departments including Defense, Homeland Security, and Health.
- The legislation averts a shutdown that would have furloughed hundreds of thousands of workers.
Bill Details and Passage
The legislation, which the White House confirms President Joe Biden will sign, funds the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, State, and the legislative branch.
The vote followed internal Republican conflict, with hardline conservatives threatening to oust Speaker Mike Johnson. They argued the bill contained excessive spending and lacked conservative policy victories.
“We have to be realistic about what we’re able to achieve,” Johnson said in defense of the deal, citing the party’s narrow House majority.
Major Provisions
The sprawling package includes several significant measures:
- A 3% pay raise for military troops.
- Increased funding for border security.
- A cut to funding for the UN agency aiding Palestinian refugees.
- A ban on flying the LGBTQ pride flag over US embassies.
- A provision allowing the US to seize Russian assets to aid Ukraine.
Background and Impact
The shutdown threat began Monday after Congress missed a midnight deadline. The government had been running on a series of short-term funding measures since October.
The bill’s passage marks a major victory for President Biden and congressional leaders after months of budgetary struggle. It successfully prevents widespread furloughs and service disruptions across federal agencies.
