President Joe Biden signed a bill on Sept. 26 to extend the deadline for government funding until Dec. 20, preventing a potential government shutdown before the 2024 election. In a statement on Sept. 25, Biden expressed gratitude to both houses of Congress for passing the continuing resolution and avoiding a costly shutdown. The bill was introduced on Sept. 22 and swiftly passed through both chambers of Congress on Sept. 25.
The House approved the legislation with an overwhelming vote of 341-82 in the early afternoon, surpassing the required two-thirds support. All opposing votes came from Republicans. Later that evening, the Senate also voted in favor of the measure with a vote of 78-18, without considering any amendments that could have delayed its passage.
Following the passage of this legislation, both chambers adjourned ahead of Hurricane Helene’s expected arrival.
Apart from extending the funding deadline by three months, this “clean” continuing resolution includes $231 million in new funding for the Secret Service but does not include controversial bill riders like the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.
Initially, House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed for a six-month continuing resolution that included the SAVE Act at former President Donald Trump’s request; however, it was voted down by Democrats and some Republicans.
Johnson expressed regret over resorting to another continuing resolution but blamed Senate Democrats for failing to work on appropriations.
Biden’s signature on this bill eliminates concerns about a government shutdown leading up to the 2024 election—a scenario both parties wanted to avoid due to political uncertainty.
In previous instances where Johnson pursued continuing resolutions without concessions for Republicans, he faced significant pushback and even an unsuccessful attempt to remove him as speaker; however, opposition was less intense this time around.
Lawmakers now have an additional three months to work on spending legislation; however much of that time will be spent campaigning outside Washington D.C.
It is worth noting that historically these types of resolutions often result in passing an unpopular “Christmas omnibus” spending package—something Johnson has vowed not to bring forward in December—but some Republicans still anticipate such an outcome.
