TL/DR –
Congress leaders have revealed a $1.2 trillion government funding package to prevent a potential shutdown ahead of a deadline on Friday. The package includes six bills and covers the funding for various departments, including State, Homeland Security, Defense, Labor, and Health and Human Services. If approved, the package could prevent a government shutdown until the beginning of the next fiscal year on October 1.
Congress Unveils $1.2 Trillion Government Funding Package to Prevent Shutdown
Washington — Early on Thursday, congressional leaders disclosed a long-awaited government funding package. This move aims to conclude the months-long funding deadlock and prevent a partial government shutdown before the Friday night deadline.
The $1.2 trillion package, encompassing six bills over 1,000 pages, provides money for State, Homeland Security, Defense, Labor, and Health and Human Services departments, among others. Upon approval, the threat of a government shutdown will be eliminated until the next fiscal year’s start on Oct. 1.
The package brings good news for both sides of the aisle. House Speaker Mike Johnson lauded the package early Thursday, asserting that “House Republicans have achieved significant conservative policy wins” in this year’s appropriations process.
“This FY24 appropriations legislation is a serious commitment to strengthening our national defense by moving the Pentagon toward a focus on its core mission while expanding support for our brave men and women who serve in uniform,” Johnson emphasized.
On Wednesday, multiple sources privy to the negotiations confirmed to CBS News that the package would include banning all direct U.S. funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, the main humanitarian agency in Gaza.
This decision follows the Biden administration’s pause earlier this year on new funding to UNRWA pending a U.N. investigation into Israel’s allegations that 12 agency employees participated in the deadly Oct. 7 terror attack in Israel.
In addition to border security enhancements, the proposed package would also reduce funding to NGOs that encourage illegal immigration, according to Johnson.
Leaders announced on Tuesday that they had reached consensus following difficulties earlier in the week, particularly over DHS funding.
With the bill’s text release, the race is on to approve the legislation and prevent a partial government shutdown by 12 a.m. Saturday. The House will likely pass the legislation, and despite resistance from some conservatives, Democrats are expected to join most House Republicans to pass the legislation before it heads to the Senate.
In the Senate, quick legislation movement will require unanimous agreement since one senator can delay the process. If any problems arise, an additional short-term measure might be needed, or some government agencies’ funding could lapse.
Legislators are expected to go on a two-week recess starting next week, meaning any issues would likely necessitate weekend work. Some senators, frustrated with the time crunch, have advocated for a temporary resolution to keep the government funded for a few weeks while allowing time for debate.
This approved package is the second of two, ending the prolonged government funding issue. After finalizing the appropriations process, the focus will shift to supplemental funding in the House.
Contributions to this report were made by Margaret Brennan
More information on the government shutdown
Kaia Hubbard, a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C., authored this article.
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