The article discusses the recent passage of a stopgap funding bill by Congress to avoid a government shutdown. President Biden signed the bill into law, extending government funding into March and providing over $100 billion in disaster aid for those affected by storms in the U.S. Southeast. While Biden has not publicly commented on the legislation, sources say that President-elect Trump is not happy with the bill because it does not suspend the debt ceiling. Lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have shared their perspectives on the outcome of the negotiations, with both parties claiming victory in preventing a shutdown.
The passage of the funding bill was a result of a chaotic week in Congress, where a 1,547-page continuing resolution was initially thrown into disarray due to objections by Elon Musk and President-elect Trump. A slimmed-down version of the bill was rejected by House members before Speaker Mike Johnson introduced a new bill that was approved overwhelmingly. The Senate passed the bill just after the deadline, maintaining government operations and providing aid to those affected by natural disasters, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Some lawmakers, like Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, praised the revised funding package for delivering aid to Americans and protecting agricultural supply chains. However, others, like Rep. Mike Lawler, questioned President Biden’s limited role in negotiations.
One notable development was the approval of the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act by the Senate. The bill, introduced by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, would give control of the 174-acre RFK campus to the District of Columbia, potentially reviving plans for a new stadium for the Washington Commanders. This move came after a provision in the initial continuing resolution to transfer control of the campus was eliminated from the bill. Comer praised the passage of the act as a historic moment for the nation’s capital, highlighting the economic benefits of revitalizing the RFK Memorial Stadium site. The successful bipartisan effort was seen as a testament to the House Oversight Committee’s commitment to protecting taxpayers and ensuring a prosperous future for the city.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle shared their thoughts on the outcome of the negotiations, with Democrats touting the bill as a win for working-class Americans and Republicans praising the bill for maintaining current government funding levels and delivering aid to those in need. Some expressed concerns about the debt ceiling issue and President Biden’s perceived lack of involvement in negotiations. The passage of the legislation was described as a necessary step to prevent a shutdown just before Christmas and ensure continued government operations. The bill’s provisions for disaster aid, economic assistance to farmers, and revitalization efforts at the RFK campus were highlighted as positive outcomes of the negotiations.
