Democrats and Republicans take step to avert government shutdown

Even in America’s current climate of tension and political polarization, Democrats and Republicans have been able to reach an overarching agreement to avert a partial government shutdown in the coming weeks. This is only a first step, an agreement to establish a spending ceiling that cannot be exceeded in the dozen budget laws that finance the federal administration. Although there is still a risk that the negotiation will derail, U.S. President Joe Biden immediately celebrated this step.

The agreement has been reached between House Speaker Mike Johnson, and the Democratic majority leader of the Senate, Chuck Schumer, along with the minority leaders of both chambers. It is precisely the fact that there are political majorities of different signs in the two chambers of Congress that has kept almost all legislative activity blocked for more than a year.

The agreement sets the total amount of spending at nearly $1.66 trillion, including an inflation adjustment of $69 billion. These figures respect the agreement that Biden reached in May with the previous House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy. “By securing the $772.7 billion for nondefense discretionary funding, we can protect key domestic priorities like veterans benefits, health care and nutrition assistance from the Draconian cuts sought by right-wing extremists,” said a joint statement by Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Congress also still has to approve the bill proposed by Biden for aid to Ukraine and Israel, among other items, and which is not affected by this agreement.

The president celebrated the progress in a statement: “The bipartisan funding framework congressional leaders have reached moves us one step closer to preventing a needless government shutdown and protecting important national priorities. It reflects the funding levels that I negotiated with both parties and signed into law last spring. It rejects deep cuts to programs hardworking families count on, and provides a path to passing full-year funding bills that deliver for the American people and are free of any extreme policies,” said Biden in a statement. “Now, congressional Republicans must do their job, stop threatening to shut down the government, and fulfill their basic responsibility to fund critical domestic and national security priorities, including my supplemental request. It’s time for them to act.”

Democrats and Republicans approved a second extension last November that was similar to the one that had previously cost Kevin McCarthy his job. For part of the programs, funding was extended until January 19 and for another part, until February 2. These are the deadlines for a definitive agreement and for passing the necessary laws.

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