The U.S. Senate took a decisive step toward averting another
government shutdown by approving a $174 billion funding package, as time runs
out and the deadline for keeping the federal government running rapidly
approaches.
The vote, held Monday night, reflected broad bipartisan
consensus, with the measure passing 81-14. This marks the first formal step in
the legislative process for a set of three spending bills, known on Capitol
Hill as a “minibus,” a term used to bundle several budget initiatives into a single
package.
This step is especially relevant because the risk of a
partial government shutdown remains if Congress fails to pass the necessary
legislation to fund federal operations in time. Such a scenario would entail
the suspension of numerous public services, the furloughing of thousands of
federal employees, and a new episode of political and economic tension in the
country.
The House of Representatives had already approved this
package last week, clearing the way for the Senate to vote on it. Now, the bill
must face a final vote in the upper chamber later this week, and if it passes
this last hurdle, it will be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature
and enactment.
Although this progress represents a positive sign of
cooperation between the two parties, the process is not yet completely over.
However, the broad support the package has received suggests a clear political
will to avoid a government shutdown and to ensure, at least for now, the
continued operation of key federal agencies.
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