The Senate has voted to pass the government funding extension in order to prevent a shutdown at the end of this month. The bill, which was approved by the House earlier today, will now be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature into law.
The Senate vote on the bill was 78 to 18, indicating strong bipartisan support for the measure. This funding extension will keep the government operational until December 20, setting the stage for a potentially contentious debate over spending just before the Christmas holiday.
Notably, the bill includes $231 million in funding for the US Secret Service, a move prompted by two recent apparent assassination attempts against GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. This allocation aims to bolster security measures and ensure the safety of high-profile political figures.
However, it is important to highlight that the bill does not incorporate the SAVE Act, a controversial provision championed by Trump to address non-citizen voting. Despite the President's advocacy for its inclusion, the measure did not make it into the final version of the legislation.
As the government funding extension moves towards enactment, it underscores the ongoing challenges and negotiations involved in managing federal finances. The decision to extend funding until December 20 provides a temporary reprieve from the specter of a shutdown, but also sets the stage for further deliberations on budgetary priorities and allocations.
