Beijing time:2021-12-04 10:05
[NTD News December 04, 2021, Beijing time]In order to prevent the US government from shutting down, both houses of the US Congress voted to pass the “Interim Expenditure” bill on the evening of December 2, which will maintain the normal operation of the federal government until February 18 next year. .
American Senate Majority Leader Schumer: “I am happy to let the American people know that the government is still open. Thank you.”
On Thursday, the Senate passed the spending bill with 69 votes in favor and 28 votes against it, which will provide the government with funds until February 18, giving Biden time to sign the bill before the funds are consumed on Friday.
Government spending will remain at the current level, while at the same time an increase of 7 billion US dollars to aid the evacuees from Afghanistan.
A few hours before, the House of Representatives passed the bill with 221 votes in favor and 212 against.
Before the vote, Biden expressed confidence to ensure that the government does not shut down.
US President Biden: “I don’t think it will happen (the government shuts down). We are ready to make sure that (the government) will not shut down unless someone (obstructs).”
Some Republican senators said before the bill was passed that if the bill was not amended to prevent the government from continuing to promote mandatory vaccination, the bill would be delayed. However, a simple majority vote on this matter ultimately failed.
US President Biden: “I have talked with Mitch McConnell and Schumer. We have a plan, unless someone makes an unexpected decision, but I don’t think it will happen.”
Although the passage of the temporary spending bill prevented the government from shutting down, the Treasury Department estimates that the federal government may hit the $28.9 trillion borrowing limit on December 15 or trigger a catastrophic default.
Comprehensive report by NTD reporters Bi Xinci and Yuwei
The URL of this article: https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2021/12/03/a103284702.html