Congress Unveils $100 Billion Disaster Aid Bill to Avert Shutdown Amid GOP Criticism

Dec 17, 2024, 05:00 PM

Congressional leaders have unveiled a 1,547-page stopgap spending bill to keep the federal government funded through March 14, 2025, thereby averting a government shutdown that would have begun on December 20. The bill includes over $100 billion in disaster relief funding to help states and local communities recover from recent natural disasters, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and provides $10 billion for farmers. The text of the bill was released just days before the deadline, prompting concerns among some lawmakers about the limited time to review the extensive document, potentially violating the 72-hour review rule. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed optimism about passing the bill, though some Republicans criticized the process and content of the package, with some calling it a 'total dumpster fire.'