March 24, 2024

The US Senate has passed a $1.2 trillion spending plan to fund the government, thereby avoiding a shutdown. The bill, which was signed by President Joe Biden, covers about 70% of discretionary government spending and will fund the government through September.

The vote followed more than 12 hours of negotiations and faced strong opposition from the GOP. The bill includes new resources for the US Border Patrol and additional detention beds run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It also cuts off US government assistance to UNRWA and increases funding for federal child care and research into cancer and Alzheimer’s. Despite opposition from conservatives, the bill was passed and now awaits the potential economic fallout.