The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a one-week short-term funding bill to delay the government shutdown, a situation that would have dragged on until Congress had agreed on budgets for 2023.
With 71 votes in favor and 19 against, the U.S. upper chamber pushed through a measure that freezes funding until Dec. 23, giving lawmakers extra time as they negotiate the next budget.
The Democratic and Republican parties have been working together to pass an overall spending package by the end of the month, with an eye on final approval by Christmas Eve, ‘The Hill’ has reported.
However, there are disagreements within the Republican Party over how long the establishment of a new budget law should be postponed, as Congress prepares to inaugurate a new House of Representatives with a Republican majority, which would allow greater influence on the appropriations of the public accounts.
The legislators had until midnight on Friday to reach an agreement, otherwise, all funds for the services dependent on the national administration would be put to a technical halt.
In the United States, the government shuts down when one or both houses of Parliament cannot resolve disagreements over budget appropriations before the end of the existing budget cycle.
