Millions of federal workers will not suffer the consequences of Democrats’ fiscal irresponsibility directly this time. Republicans believe they will be shown gratitude when in fact they are being treated like mischievous children who behaved themselves at the very last moment.
The U.S. Senate narrowly approved a temporary spending bill, preventing a government shutdown just three hours before the fiscal year’s end. The final vote, 88-9, followed the House’s earlier passage of the short-term spending bill, also known as a continuing resolution (CR), by a vote of 335 to 91. When the result of the voting was announced, lawmakers erupted in applause in relief.
The CR extends government funding for 45 days and includes $16 billion for disaster relief but excludes aid to Ukraine FOR NOW. Had the Senate rejected the bill, nonessential government programs would have halted, leading to furloughs for numerous federal employees. Unremarkably, members of both parties supported the stopgap bill, a contrast to previous Republican CR proposals that lacked Democratic support. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy expressed hope that the CR would provide Congress with more time to reach a “final” agreement. Our prediction? Increase in border security AND in Ukraine spending!
