Biden Endorses Budget Allocation Bill – Preventing Federal Shutdown

Headline

Biden Endorses Budget Allocation Act—Preventing Federal Government Hiatus

President Joe Biden recently signed a financial plan to avoid a forthcoming government shutdown, following a late-minute attempt to endorse the bill in the Senate amidst resistance from President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

Facts

Biden, who the White House confirmed was in support of the bill despite its incomplete objectives, signed off on the measure over the weekend. The bill provides funding for disaster relief and farming support, among other initiatives, as stated by the White House.

The Senate endorsed the bill in a 85-11 vote, with all Democrats in favor and 10 Republicans, along with Rep. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., casting their votes against it. Following a 366-34 vote in the House late Friday, the bill garnered support despite no Democratic opposition.

Biden, according to the White House, supports the bill despite its unmet objectives and plans to sign it shortly.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., proposed the new bill to temporarily fund the federal government and provide disaster aid, as reported by the AP. The plan, however, does not include the debt limit increase demanded by Trump this week.

Initially, House Republicans were set to pass separate bills aimed at avoiding a shutdown, but Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., mentioned that House Speaker Johnson changed his stance following a conversation with Hakeem Jeffries. He was then able to secure Democratic votes to pass all the legislation as a single bill.

The House voted against the former spending bill proposed on Thursday, with 38 Republicans crossing party lines and voting against it, along with Democrats.

The bill aimed to maintain government funding until March 14 and suspend the debt ceiling for two years, gaining Trump’s approval who urged both parties to support it.

During the past week, Trump and billionaire ally Elon Musk criticized Johnson's Tuesday funding bill which failed to reach a vote, with Trump expressing concerns over "sweetheart provisions for government censors" and claiming it would increase Congress payments while Americans struggle.

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Background

One of Trump's main concerns with previous spending proposals stemmed from the debt ceiling, which was not included in the initial bill introduced Tuesday. Trump has advocated for the debt ceiling's suspension or elimination, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. However, several fiscally conservative Republicans have expressed resistance to raising the debt ceiling. Musk, a close Trump supporter, frequently criticized the previous spending bill in several tweets on Wednesday, labeling it "one of the worst bills ever written."

Side story

In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, President-elect Donald Trump suggested that he would be content with a government shutdown so long as it occurred during the Biden administration, stating, "If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now, under the Biden Administration, not after January 20th, under ‘TRUMP.’ This is a Biden problem to solve, but if Republicans can help, they will!"

Additional Reading

Trump Says He Opposes Johnson's Government Funding Bill—Urges Republicans to 'Get Smart And Tough' (Our Website)

Musk Argues Congressional Bill to Avert Government Shutdown 'Should Not Pass' (Our Website)

Despite President-elect Donald Trump's opposition and Elon Musk's criticism, President Joe Biden signed a bill to avoid a government shutdown, providing funding for various initiatives.
The Senate endorsed the bill with the support of all Democrats and 10 Republicans, despite its unmet objectives, as House Speaker Mike Johnson proposed the new bill for temporary government funding and disaster aid.
Trump had criticized Johnson's funding bill for including "sweetheart provisions for government censors" and for potentially increasing Congress payments while Americans struggle.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed his preference for a government shutdown during the Biden administration, stating, "If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now, under the Biden Administration, not after January 20th, under ‘TRUMP.’"
Despite Trump's advocacy for the debt ceiling's suspension or elimination, several fiscally conservative Republicans have expressed resistance to raising the debt ceiling.