WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed a $460 billion spending package into law on Saturday, ensuring that many key federal agencies will remain operational. The package, which contains six annual spending bills, was passed by the Senate in time to avoid a government shutdown.
Lawmakers have now completed half of their appropriations work for the 2024 budget year with the approval of this measure, which had already been passed by the House of Representatives. President Biden expressed gratitude to leaders and negotiators from both parties for their efforts, saying the funding will allow agencies to continue functioning as normal.
Negotiations are ongoing for a second package of six bills, including the defense bill, in an effort to fully fund all federal agencies by the March 22 deadline. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the bipartisan effort that led to the successful passage of the spending package, emphasizing that divided government does not mean nothing can be accomplished.
The Senate approved the spending package with a vote of 75 in favor and 22 against, after lawmakers engaged in debates and discussions on various amendments and priorities. Republican Senator Susan Collins urged her colleagues to prioritize passing the bills to avoid a government shutdown, emphasizing the importance of funding essential government services.
Despite the achievement of passing the spending package, negotiations continue for the second package of bills. Republicans were able to maintain non-defense spending at similar levels to the previous year, with some seeking further cuts. Democrats successfully avoided including certain policy riders sought by Republicans, such as blocking access to the abortion pill mifepristone and fully funding the WIC program for low-income women, infants, and children.
While Republicans secured some political victories in the spending package, such as preventing the sale of oil from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China and protecting the rights of parents at school board meetings, the bill represents a compromise between both parties. With a divided Congress and Democrats in control of the White House, bipartisan support is essential for the passage of any legislation.
In addition to funding federal agencies, the spending package includes over 6,600 projects requested by individual lawmakers, totaling approximately $12.7 billion. The full discretionary spending set by Congress for the 2024 budget year is expected to be around $1.66 trillion.