Democrats, Republicans agree on government funding resolution: Sen. Schumer

The Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday announced that the Democrats have reached an agreement with the Republicans on continuing resolution to fund the government. This comes a day prior to the United States Senate’s crucial vote that would decide if the country’s federal government would shut down or not.

Schumer said, “We have an agreement on the CR – the continuing resolution to prevent a government shutdown – and we should be voting on that tomorrow morning”, CNN reported.

The democrat said that the Senate will hold several amendment votes before taking up the resolution. The voting is likely to begin at 10:30 am ET (8 pm IST).

However, the vote would only be on legislation that would fund the government for the short term, which would extend to December this year.

In case the vote, which requires a special majority in the United States Senate, fails on Thursday it would take the country one step closer to seeing the first shutdown after President Joe Biden took office in January this year.

According to reports from the Washington Post, Senate majority leader and member of the Democratic party Chuck Schumer announced a last-minute legislation that would provide funds for the federal government for a short period. 

The bill also reportedly allocates large funds for two recent hurricanes and for the assistance of refugees who have been brought into the United States.  

On the other hand, Republican lawmakers seek to include money for funding Israel’s Iron Dome System in the financial plan of the country while raising issues related to inspecting the background of Afghan migrants.

Schumer said in a speech on Wednesday, “We can approve this measure quickly and send it to the House, so it can reach the president’s desk before funding expires midnight tomorrow”, according to reports from Washington Post.

The democratic lawmaker added, “With so many critical issues to address, the last thing the American people need right now is a government shutdown.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill that could suspend the country’s debt limit. However, the legislation is likely to be blocked in the Senate, which currently stands at a stalemate about the issue.  

Republican lawmakers in the United States Senate previously blocked a similar bill earlier this week that would allow the federal government to receive funds beyond October 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

According to reports from CNBC, the United States House of Representatives passed the debt ceiling suspension bill with a close call. The final tally of the votes was 219-212.