As the holiday season approaches, President Joe Biden took action on Thursday by signing a temporary government spending bill to keep agencies operating until December. This measure was necessary due to Congress delaying key spending decisions until after the November election.
The bill funds agencies at current levels through Dec. 20, potentially leading to a government shutdown. However, additional funds were allocated to strengthen the Secret Service after recent threats against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Money was also designated to support the presidential transition process.
With bipartisan support, the measure passed easily in Congress, with the House voting 341-82 and the Senate 78-18, with all no votes coming from Republicans. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that the bill only addresses essential needs to avoid a government shutdown.
Congress still has work to do on the annual appropriations bills that fund much of the federal government, with the House passing five of the 12 bills and the Senate none. This temporary solution was crucial to ensure continued government operations while further budget decisions are made.