Hours ahead of the latest deadline for a partial government shutdown, the Democratic-led Senate voted 75–22 on Friday night to pass six key appropriations bills worth $468 billion.
President Joe Biden is expected to sign the legislation on Saturday after the 12:01 a.m. deadline, the White House said. The House passed the 1,050-page measure on Wednesday, with a final vote of 339–85.
The appropriations legislation, known as a “minibus,” will last through the remainder of the current fiscal year. The bills include funding for the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Veterans Affairs, Energy, Interior, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and many other federal programs.
“After months of hard work, we have good news for the country: Tonight the Senate has reached an agreement avoiding a shutdown on the first six funding bills,” Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) announced before the vote. “We will keep important programs funded for moms and kids, for veterans, for the environment, for housing, and so much more.”
“I want to thank our appropriators. You’ve done such a fine job,” he said.
The latest spending vote marks a major breakthrough for Congress after months of averting numerous government shutdowns at the last minute with short-term bills. However, the House and Senate still have another deadline to pass the remaining six appropriations bills, which will be used to fund the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security. Democrats and Republicans in both chambers of Congress must agree on these in two weeks’ time, on March 22.
Following the House’s Wednesday vote, Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) said the latest spending measure is a victory for conservatives because it includes cuts to the FBI, Environmental Protection Agency, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Johnson has faced criticism for his handling of the spending fight, particularly from his Republican colleagues.
With over 40 GOP congressmen in its ranks, the House Freedom Caucus opposed the spending package, saying it “punts on nearly every single Republican policy priority” and “surrenders Republicans’ leverage to force radical Democrats to the table to truly secure the southern border.”
Immigration has proven to be a contentious issue, as it threatened to disrupt the bipartisan negotiations on the latest appropriations package. Republican senators demanded votes on several amendments related to immigration earlier Friday, but many eventually came to an agreement.