US Congress Passes $1.2 Trillion Budget Bill to Avert Shutdown

In a bipartisan effort, the US Congress passed a $1.2 trillion budget bill, ensuring the government’s funding through September 30 and averting a partial shutdown. The bill, supported overwhelmingly with a vote of 74-24 in the Senate, allocates funds for key federal agencies, including Homeland Security, Justice, State, and Treasury.

However, it notably excludes funding for military aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, issues addressed in a separate Senate bill disregarded by the Republican-led House of Representatives. Despite partisan divisions and a delay in negotiating amendments, the bill’s passage underscores Congress’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and national security. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law, providing much-needed stability to the government’s finances and operations amidst ongoing political challenges.