Leaders of the US Congress announced that both parties have reached an agreement to extend the government budget until mid-December, aiming to avert the risk of a federal shutdown ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for November 5.
With the fiscal year ending on September 30, Congress was expected to approve the 2025 budget to ensure all services remain funded. However, due to the lack of agreement on next year’s budget, a temporary funding measure was anticipated.
For weeks, Republicans have been demanding that any budget be tied to new stipulations requiring voters to prove their American citizenship—a clause pushed by Republican candidate Donald Trump. Trump continues to claim, without evidence, that he was the victim of electoral fraud in the 2020 election.
On Wednesday, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives failed to pass a bill that combined the temporary funding measure with a six-month budget extension.
The agreement announced on Sunday excludes the temporary measure and only extends funding until December 20.
The presidential elections on November 5 will also determine which party will control Congress.
The deal reached on Sunday postpones the crisis to the period between election day and the inauguration scheduled for January 20.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated in a release, “I am pleased that the bipartisan negotiations quickly resulted in a government funding deal free of cuts and poison pills.”
The bill set for a vote in the House this week also allocates an additional $231 million to the Secret Service, marking a significant increase for the federal agency tasked with protecting high-profile political figures.
The agency has faced extensive criticism following two assassination attempts on Trump. Additionally, the bill provides an extra $47 million to fund security in Washington during the presidential inauguration.
