Biden Signs Temporary Budget Into Law, Averting Government Shutdown

President Joe Biden on Sept. 30 signed into law a continuing resolution (CR), likely averting the nation from a government shutdown with just hours to spare.

The legislation passed the House of Representatives earlier in the day by a mostly party-line vote of 230–201, but with the support of 10 Republicans. The evening before, the Senate approved the temporary budget by a bipartisan vote of 72–25.

The CR, which maintains current spending levels through Dec. 16, also provides some $12.3 billion in additional U.S. aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia.

The funding measure adds $1 billion more for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and $2 billion in emergency disaster aid assistance. There are also provisions making $2.5 billion available in compensation for victims of a devastating New Mexico wildfire, $20 million to deal with the Jackson, Mississippi, municipal water system crisis, and $112 million for enhanced security at federal courthouses.

The CR would add $19 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) coffers in the wake of severe damage in Puerto Rico and Florida from Hurricane Ian. The storm also is expected to cause additional flooding in the Carolinas and Virginia as it heads up the Atlantic Coast after pummeling Florida.

Because the CR only keeps the government open until Dec. 16, the current Congress will return after the Nov. 8 election for a “lame duck” session that will be dominated by debate over an omnibus spending bill to complete the 2023 federal budget.

The omnibus measure will provide Democrats of the 117th Congress their last opportunity to set federal spending levels for 2023 and thereafter. The 118th Congress convenes on Jan. 3, 2023.

Passed Over GOP Opposition

The measure passed the lower chamber against strong GOP opposition.

For weeks, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) has led a behind-the-scenes