The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a temporary measure that would keep federal agencies funded when the new fiscal year begins next Tuesday, while postponing final spending decisions for the upcoming budget year until after the Nov. 5 election.
The stopgap measure, approved by a vote of 341 to 82, maintains funding for agencies overall at current levels through Dec. 20. But an additional $231 million was included to strengthen the Secret Service in the wake of two attempts to assassinate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Money was also added to support the presidential transition, among other things.
The bill will now move to the Senate for final approval. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said he had reached an agreement to ensure swift passage. “This is how things should be done,” Schumer said. “No last-minute obstruction, no delays.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, said the measure does “only what is absolutely necessary,” a statement directed at members of his own coalition concerned about spending levels.
But some Republicans see the bill as a nonstarter, forcing House GOP leaders to rely on Democratic votes to pass the bill through a process that requires at least two-thirds support of voting members. Johnson said the only alternative to a lasting resolution at this stage would have been a government shutdown.
“It would be politically negligent to shut down the government,” Johnson said. “I think everyone understands that.”
The House of Representatives was virtually empty during the debate on the measure. Lawmakers in both chambers are eager to return to their states and districts to campaign and pave the way for passage of a temporary funding deal. But more arduous fiscal negotiations await them later this year.
Under the terms of an earlier deal to avoid a federal default and allow the government to continue paying its bills, spending on defense and other programs would rise 1 percent next year.