US House Approves $1.2 Trillion Spending Package to End Shutdown

US House Approves $1.2 Trillion Spending Package to End Shutdown

The United States House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan spending package worth $1.2 trillion, which will be sent to President Donald Trump’s desk for signature. The legislation restores funding for key federal programs, including those within the Departments of Labor and Education.

The bill was approved with 217 votes in favor and 214 against, resulting in 21 Republicans voting against it and 21 Democrats supporting it. The temporary extension of funding for the Department of Homeland Security will last until February 13, while the remaining annual appropriations bills will fund government agencies and programs through September 30.

The spending package includes provisions related to immigration enforcement, with lawmakers leaving room for future negotiations on changes and reforms. The bill temporarily extends funding to DHS but does not include a provision to address recent incidents involving federal agents killing two US citizens. Democrats are pushing for new restraints on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

In a statement, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the need for substantial reform at the Department of Homeland Security. Speaker Mike Johnson expressed hope that lawmakers will reach an agreement by the deadline, stating that “this is no time to play games with that funding.” The president has reached out to both sides, and some Republicans had sought to modify the bill to include a provision on voting requirements.

The last government shutdown lasted 43 days in October and November, resulting in furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and an estimated $11 billion loss to the US economy.

Source: Al Jazeera