Washington, Dec. 19, (dpa/GNA) – The US Congress on Friday passed a two-day government funding bill just hours ahead of midnight deadline to avert a government shutdown.
The short-term funding bill is meant to give lawmakers more time to hash out a coronavirus stimulus package, with negotiations having stalled.
Lawmakers had hoped that they could attach an estimated 900-billion-dollar stimulus package to the annual government spending bill, forcing Congress to compromise before a midnight deadline on Friday (0500 GMT on Saturday) to fund the government.
But negotiations hit a snag and Congress scrambled to pass a separate two-day temporary funding bill, which President Donald Trump still needs to sign before midnight on Friday.
Now lawmakers have through the weekend to agree on a stimulus package and pass the year-long funding bill.
One of the main disagreements over the coronavirus stimulus package appears to be Republican provisions in the bill that would restrict the Federal Reserve’s lending ability as Republicans worry about too much government spending.
Brian Deese, president-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the National Economic Council, said the package should “not include unnecessary provisions that would hamper the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve’s ability to fight economic crises.”
Both Democrats and Republicans leaders have said they have no appetite for a shutdown.
Lawmakers have been at loggerheads about an additional stimulus package for months, with Democrats calling for a larger spending bill that would provide more relief to state and local governments and Republicans seeking a pared-downed package that would ensure pandemic-related liability protections for businesses.
The stimulus package is expected to boost unemployment benefits and possibly provide direct payments to Americans. Earlier this month a bipartisan group of lawmakers proposed the 900-billion-dollar bill, which has propelled the current negotiations.
GNA