The shutdown of US government business has been averted – after the House of Representatives, the Senate also approved an interim budget. Negotiations are still continuing because key government requests have been excluded.
The US Senate approved the interim budget with a large majority. 87 senators from both parties voted for the draft and eleven rejected it. The Senate followed the vote in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Without approval, employees in parts of the public administration, among others, would no longer have received their salaries from Saturday.
Won a few months
However, the interim budget excludes the financial support for Israel and Ukraine requested by President Joe Biden, as well as new money for the US border protection with Mexico. These points would have to be decided separately later, just like a regular budget with a longer term. Now Biden still has to sign the draft.
The bill would fund around a fifth of the money for government operations and federal agencies through Jan. 19, including money for military and veterans, agriculture and transportation. This is a few days after the Iowa caucuses that kick off the 2024 presidential campaign. The other four-fifths, such as the State Department, Trade, Labor and Health, will be funded through February 2nd.
What’s next for Ukraine aid?
Before the vote, John Kirby, communications director for the National Security Council, emphasized that a quick decision had to be made on the next round of aid to Ukraine. “There is no other solution – we must have additional money for Ukraine so that they can continue the fight against Russian aggression.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, announced that the funds would be negotiated in the coming weeks.
Republicans in particular are increasingly skeptical or even rejecting support for the country attacked by Russia.