US Senate approves provisional funding to avoid government stoppage

The Senate of the United States approved, on Wednesday, 12, a bill that guarantees the temporary funding of the federal government for six months. The measure seeks to prevent the interruption of government activities in the face of the deadline for the stoppage, provided for midnight.

The proposal received the support of 54 senators, while 46 voted against. The approval occurred after a legislative process marked by divergences between parliamentarians of the two houses and the two main benches.

Prior to the final vote, the Senate deliberated on the possibility of moving forward with the Republican authorship funding bill, previously approved by the House of Representatives. At this stage, 62 senators voted in favor and 58 positioned themselves against the continuation of the proposal.

The proposal was presented by the Chamber’s Republicans as a continuity resolution (CR), an instrument that allows the extent of the current budget, ensuring the operation of government activities until September 30.

During the Senate Plenary session, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democratic senators were prepared to reject the House approved text, which could increase the risk of federal government stoppage. Schumer’s demonstration occurred before the decisive vote in the Senate.

On Tuesday (11), the Chamber of Representatives approved the continuity resolution, considered by parliamentarians of the Republican base as a viable alternative to prevent the suspension of public services and allow additional time to negotiate a definitive budget.

The approved proposal maintains the current level of federal spending, without inclusion of new resources or additional cuts. The strategy was defended as a temporary solution as budget negotiations between parties advance.

Despite approval in the Senate, the proceedings of the bill faced resistance from part of the democratic parliamentarians. Critics argued that the project does not include priorities of public policies defended by the bench, and does not provide for additional resources for strategic programs.

On the republican side, the predominant argument was to ensure the continuity of the government’s functioning without extending expenses, in line with the budget containment target. The leadership of the House classified the measure as necessary in the face of the impasse around the definitive budget approval.

The debate on government funding has intensified in recent weeks, with different proposals being presented and rejected in both Congress houses. The risk of partial government stoppage mobilized party leaders and generated pressure on a temporary solution that would avoid impacts on public services and federal workers.

With the approval in the Senate, the bill now goes to presidential sanction. The text is expected to be signed before the deadline, ending the risk of interruption of public services this weekend.

Government’s stoppage, known as shutdown, occurs when Congress does not approve the financing necessary to maintain federal operations. In these situations, several agencies partially interrupt their activities, and workers considered not essential are temporarily removed.

The current budget process reflects structural differences between Democrats and Republicans on tax priorities and public policies. While Republicans have advocated greater control over public spending, Democrats have been pressured by additional resources in areas such as Social Assistance, Health and Infrastructure.

The provisional measure now approved this impasse will temporarily advance, but does not eliminate the challenge of negotiating a definitive budget for next fiscal year. Parliamentarians are expected to resume discussions in the coming weeks to seek agreement to avoid further risk of stoppage in the second half.

The Senate vote ends a stage of the legislative process and allows the continuity of government operations until the end of September, a period provided for in the approved resolution. From now on, the focus of congressmen turns to negotiations around permanent budget legislation.

With information from Reuters