US lawmakers reach deal to temporarily avert government shutdown
BBC NewsMar 03
Congress Passes Another Short-Term Funding Bill
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The Facts
The US Senate voted 77-13 on Thursday to approve the Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act to provide short-term funding for federal agencies to prevent a government shutdown.
The bill provides federal funding for agriculture, rural development, the Food and Drug Administration, energy and water agencies, military construction, and veterans affairs, among other things, through March 8, with all other agencies funded through March 22.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
There's optimism that the latest bipartisan stopgap extension will be the last. Half of the appropriation bills have been agreed upon, and members of Congress now have an additional two weeks to reach consensus over the remaining six. While there's still a way to go, there's a solid chance that all appropriation bills will be passed and the threat of a shutdown will be pushed far into the future.
Establishment-critical narrative
The continual cycle of looming shutdown threats before last-minute deals is an embarrassment. Republicans and Democrats continue to place uncertainty over the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of American workers, and such behavior is symbolic of why Washington's politicians are viewed with contempt by many. Congress must stop playing games with the lives of the American people.