Congress releases short-term funding bill as deadline nears to avert a holiday shutdown
House Republicans released legislative text of their short-term bill Monday to keep the federal government open until mid-March, just days ahead of a key deadline to prevent a shutdown.
WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders on Tuesday evening released the text of a short-term bill to keep the federal government open until March 14, rolling it out just days ahead of a key deadline to prevent a shutdown and after numerous delays.
Funding expires at the end of Friday, when the House and the Senate hope to adjourn for the Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s holidays.
The 1,547-page bill includes $100.4 billion for disaster relief funding to address damage caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton in places like western North Carolina and Florida. That was roughly what President Joe Biden had requested of Congress.
It also includes $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers, a one-year extension of the farm bill and a provision that would reauthorize a Department of Homeland Security program allowing federal agencies to coordinate and counter threats from drones, given public concern about recent sightings.
In addition, the continuing resolution, or CR, includes a separate provision to give control of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium to Washington, D.C., which would allow the city to negotiate bringing the NFL's Commanders back to the district.
Rating: 5