The Senate approved a measure that just barely avoided a shutdown of the government on Thursday.
Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was certain that the bill would be passed by the House and reach Biden in the latter part of the day.
It does not resolve the debt limit impasse that has pushed the US closer to default.
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Although the Senate approved a bill to fund the government just hours before the shutdown deadline it doesn't break the deadlock started by Republicans, which is pushing the US closer towards default.
Short-term "continuing resolution", which passed the Senate 65 to 35, will ensure that the government is open until December 3. The bill included $28 billion in disaster aid funding to communities affected by recent hurricanes. It also provided aid for Afghan refugees residing in the US.
In a speech on the floor before the vote, Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that "This is a positive outcome." He was certain that the House would pass the bill later in day and send it to President Joe Biden for signature before midnight.
He stated, "The last thing Americans need is for their government to stop."
The bill did not include a debt limit increase that Republicans rejected Monday as part of their push to undermine President Joe Biden’s multitrillion-dollar economic agenda.
On Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell insisted that Democrats must approve a unilateral increase in the nation’s borrowing cap through reconciliation. This requires a simple majority vote. However, the lengthy process has procedural hurdles that Democrats might not be able overcome by December 3.
The US is now only 18 days away form a default which could impact all aspects of the economy. This includes delayed Social Security checks and missed payments for US troops, federal workers, and cuts to unemployment insurance or Medicaid.
This story will be updated.
