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Congress Unveils Stopgap Funding Bill With $100 Billion Disaster Aid to Avert Friday Shutdown

Dec 17, 2024, 10:36 PM

Congressional leaders have unveiled a bipartisan 1,547-page stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown ahead of Friday's December 20 deadline. The legislation extends government funding at current spending levels through March 14, 2025, and includes more than $100 billion in emergency disaster aid to assist states and local communities recovering from recent natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The bill also allocates $10 billion in funding for farmers. Speaker Mike Johnson stated that they are 'almost there' in finalizing the agreement and expects the text to be available imminently. However, concerns have been raised about the limited time lawmakers have to review the extensive bill before the required vote, with some criticizing the process's lack of transparency. The agreement aims to prevent a shutdown during the holiday season and shifts the spending debate into March, placing it in the early months of President Trump's administration.