Congress avoids government shutdown, for fourth time

The House and Senate speedily passed a short-term government funding bill on Thursday, averting a partial government shutdown this weekend that would have included the USDA. “Now let us finish the job of funding the government so we don’t have to do this again,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Congressional leaders said the short-term funding bill, the fourth since the fiscal year began five months ago, will give lawmakers time to pass a series of appropriations bills that would cover the rest of fiscal 2024.

Next up would be a vote by next Friday on a package to fund a broad swath of the government, including the USDA and the FDA. Details of the legislation were expected to be released over the weekend. The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food program was not expected to get the full $1 billion increase requested by the White House, nor would there be a pilot program, sought by House Republicans, to limit purchases with SNAP benefits to so-called nutrient-dense foods, said Politico.

The remaining six appropriations bills, including for the Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health, and State departments, would go to floor votes by March 22.

“We have, thank God, avoided a shutdown,” said Schumer. The Senate passed the short-term bill, 77-13, after rejecting four Republican amendments that would have reduced spending or included a House-passed border security bill.

Earlier on Thursday, the House passed the bill, 320-99, under a provision that limited debate and barred amendments. More Democrats, 207, than Republicans, 113, voted for the bill. All but two of the votes against the bill were by Republicans.

“We are close. We are moving in the right direction,” said Senate Appropriations Committee chair Patty Murray, describing negotiations over the full-year appropriations bills. Congressional leaders announced bipartisan agreement in principle on Wednesday on government funding and the order for bringing the bills to the floor.