Statements from senators or reports from major news outlets

House Republicans Agree to Three-Month Funding Extension and Two-Year Debt Limit Suspension to Avert Shutdown

Dec 19, 2024, 08:55 PM

House Republicans have reached an agreement on a plan to avert a government shutdown, extending current government funding levels for three months and suspending the debt limit for two years as demanded by President-elect Donald Trump. The deal, which comes after a bipartisan funding plan was rejected due to opposition from Trump and Elon Musk, also includes aid for farmers and approximately $110 billion in disaster relief funding for Americans affected by storms Helene and Milton. The agreement, which excludes reforms to the Pharmacy Benefit Managers system, is set to be voted on as early as Thursday evening. This development follows a chaotic period in Congress, where the initial funding plan was criticized for including unrelated measures and policy riders.