House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-CA) "Hail Mary" succeeded. At 9:03 p.m. Eastern, the Senate approved the 45-Day Continuing Resolution in order to avert a government shutdown.
BREAKING: The threat of a government shutdown has been averted after the Senate approved temporary funding, sending the bill to President Biden for his signature. https://t.co/19nLUzbNjX
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 1, 2023
With less than three hours before a government shutdown would start, the Senate passed a stopgap funding measure first approved by the House, with more Democratic support than Republican.
The bill keeps the government funded until Nov. 17. It keeps the FAA funded through year’s end.
The “clean” continuing resolution notably lacks any funding for Ukraine, spending cuts or border policy changes.
The Senate approved the stopgap funding measure by a vote of 88 to 8, "with three more votes not counted," according to the NY Post. Senators who voted against the bill include:
- Mike Braun (R-IN)
- Rand Paul (R-KY)
- Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
- Roger Marshall (R-KS)
- Eric Schmitt (R-MO)
- Ted Cruz (R-TX)
- J.D. Vance (R-OH)
- Mike Lee (R-UT)
- Bill Hagerty (R-TN)
McCarthy — whose slender 4-vote majority was overwhelmed by Friday’s defections — had publicly pleaded with his caucus to support the stopgap measure, which included several provisions on border security as a sweetener for conservatives.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) crowed about the power of bipartisanship in announcing the CR's passage.
I have very good news for the country. Democrats and Republicans have come to an agreement and the government will remain open. We will have avoided a shutdown. Bipartisanship, which has been the trademark of the Senate, prevailed, and the American people can breathe a sigh of relief.
Despite protestations from President Joe Biden that he would veto a CR, he is expected to sign the measure when it reaches his desk.
More on this story as it develops.
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