President Biden Signs Bipartisan Funding Bill to Avoid Government Shutdown
On Saturday, December 21, 2024, President Joe Biden signed into law a critical funding bill, averting a government shutdown just after the deadline. The legislation, passed with bipartisan support, extends funding for federal agencies into mid-March 2025 and provides significant relief for communities in need.
Key Details of the Legislation
The bill, H.R. 10545, also known as the American Relief Act, 2025, includes:
Fiscal year 2025 appropriations to federal agencies through March 14, 2025.
Disaster relief funding and economic assistance for farmers.
Extensions to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
Continuation of several expiring federal authorities.
While the bill avoids the debt ceiling increase demanded by former President Donald Trump, it ensures the government remains operational through critical months.
President Biden’s Statement
In a public statement, President Biden emphasized the importance of the compromise, stating:
“The bipartisan funding bill I just signed keeps the government open and delivers the urgently needed disaster relief that I requested for recovering communities as well as the funds needed to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This agreement represents a compromise, which means neither side got everything it wanted. But it rejects the accelerated pathway to a tax cut for billionaires that Republicans sought, and it ensures the government can continue to operate at full capacity. That’s good news for the American people, especially as families gather to celebrate this holiday season.”
What It Means for Americans
The passage of the funding bill brings immediate stability to government operations while addressing urgent disaster recovery and infrastructure needs. As families across the country prepare for the holidays, the government’s ability to function without interruption offers reassurance during this critical time.
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