“Congress Passes Deal to Prevent Shutdown”

The U.S. Congress has successfully passed a stopgap funding measure to prevent a government shutdown just weeks before the elections. The deal, which maintains government operations until December 20, was approved by both chambers and now heads to President Joe Biden for final approval.

Facing a September 30 deadline, lawmakers from both parties rallied to avoid the shutdown. The measure overcame internal divisions in the House, with many Republicans opting for a bipartisan solution rather than a controversial voter registration measure pushed by former President Donald Trump. Trump had advocated for the inclusion of the SAVE Act, which would have added citizenship proof requirements to voter registration, but the proposal lacked sufficient support even among Republicans.

Instead, the House passed a compromise bill, focusing solely on government funding. The Senate quickly followed, with Democratic leader Chuck Schumer praising the bipartisan efforts. He emphasized that the agreement would ensure essential government services continue and that Americans could feel assured during this crucial election period.

While Trump’s influence remains strong, his calls for a shutdown were ultimately rejected, as Republicans seeking re-election were wary of the political fallout. The approved deal includes additional funding for the Secret Service to enhance protection for presidential candidates, including Trump, who has faced assassination attempts.

This temporary resolution provides a brief reprieve, but lawmakers will need to revisit the budget by December 20, once the election period concludes.