ALBAWABA - By a resounding vote of 74 to 24, the U.S. Senate approved a $1.2 trillion budget bill, hoping to avert a partial government shutdown.
The bill was approved by the House of Representatives and is scheduled to provide funding for a few government departments through the end of the fiscal year 2024. The Senate is still to vote on the bill.
The Senate passed the $1.2 trillion budget bill with 74 votes in favor and 24 against, easily securing its passage despite some delay.
The bill will now go to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature, thereby avoiding a government shutdown brought on by financial limitations.
The federal government was technically partially shut down as a result of the Senate vote being postponed.
Prior to this, the law passed the House of Representatives with 286 votes in favor and 134 votes against. A sizable number of Republican politicians rejected the bill, despite the fact that the majority of Democratic MPs backed it.
What Does a Shutdown of the Federal Government Entail?
According to U.S. law, in the event that Congress does not approve the budget for the entire fiscal year—October 1 through September 30—then temporary funding provisions take effect until the budget is finalized.
All non-essential government operations are suspended during fiscal impasses, with the exception of critical services.
While necessary government workers, such as military troops, intelligence operatives, hospital staff, airport staff, and prison guards, continue to perform their jobs, non-essential employees are required to go on furlough. These vital employees frequently have to wait to get paid until after Congress passes a new budget.
