Trump signs bill to avoid government shutdown for next 24 hours, giving Congress extra time to pass Covid-19 aid package
US President Donald Trump has authorized the funds required to narrowly avoid a government shutdown ahead of the Christmas season, right after Republicans and Democrats finally agreed on a Covid-19 stimulus bill.
The emergency bill signed on Sunday night allows for funding of the government for the next 24 hours. The measure prevents a government shutdown and gives Congress more time to pass a Covid-19 relief package along with a government funding bill.
President @realDonaldTrump has signed H.J. Res. 110, the “Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021,” which provides fiscal year 2021 appropriations to Federal agencies through Monday, December 21, 2020.
— Judd Deere (@JuddPDeere45) December 21, 2020
Democrats and Republicans have been embroiled in a bitter fight over the next stimulus bill, while blaming each other for the delay in the much-needed assistance for small businesses and regular Americans who are reeling from the lockdowns.
Congress finally managed to reach an agreement on a $900 billion relief package on Sunday, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hailing the deal as a “bipartisan breakthrough.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the compromise bill will deliver the “urgently needed funds to save the lives and livelihoods of the American people.”
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