In a pivotal decision marking the conclusion of the 118th Congress, the Senate passed a significant funding bill early Saturday morning. This legislation, providing over $110 billion in disaster aid, successfully averted a government shutdown. The package also extends funding at current levels through March 14, ensuring continuity in government operations.
A Week of Intense Negotiations in Congress
The bill’s passage follows a tumultuous week on Capitol Hill. Speaker Mike Johnson navigated competing demands from President-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, while also securing crucial Democratic votes. Despite initial bipartisan agreements, last-minute interventions led to significant changes in the bill, frustrating many legislators.
Challenges From Trump and Musk
Under pressure from Trump and Musk, the Speaker abandoned the bipartisan deal he initially supported. While he conceded to some demands, including disaster aid provisions, he could not secure Trump’s priority of lifting the debt ceiling. These developments resulted in the removal of over 1,000 pages of policy from the final legislation.
Key Provisions and Omissions
The funding package maintains critical elements of the original bipartisan accord, such as:
Over $110 billion for disaster relief.
A one-year extension of the farm bill, addressing agriculture and food policy.
However, significant policy measures were excluded due to the influence of Trump and Musk, including:
Restrictions on U.S. investments in China.
Rules to curb deceptive advertising for event tickets.
Regulations aimed at reducing prescription drug prices by managing pharmacy benefit managers.
Controversial Omissions
Democratic lawmakers expressed concerns about the omissions, arguing they disproportionately benefited billionaires and large corporations. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) commented, “There were a lot of things that were not great for billionaires and corporations that dropped out of this bill. That’s no coincidence.”
Swift Action by the Senate
Once the House passed the bill, the Senate acted quickly to avoid a government shutdown. Senate leaders secured unanimous consent to fast-track the measure, narrowly missing the midnight deadline but ensuring no interruption to government operations.
Bipartisan Discontent
Both Republican and Democratic senators expressed frustration over key policies being removed. For instance:
E-15 Gasoline Policy: Advocates for year-round E-15 gasoline sales, a priority for lawmakers from corn-producing states, were disappointed. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) remarked, “I’m very, very disappointed, but I know President Trump has supported ethanol in the past.”
Revenge Porn Legislation: A policy requiring social media platforms to remove revenge porn and non-consensual intimate imagery was excluded, raising eyebrows due to Musk and Trump’s ownership of social media companies.
Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reforms: Measures aimed at curbing pharmacy benefit managers’ practices were removed, a move criticized as a victory for pharmaceutical lobbyists. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) lamented, “Pharma tends to win in the end.”
Disaster Aid: A Critical Component
The bill allocates significant resources for disaster relief, addressing the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, wildfires, and severe flooding across the country. It also replenishes the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program, which ran out of funds in mid-October, halting new loans for affected businesses and homeowners.
Overcoming Legislative Hurdles
Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who championed the disaster loan program’s funding, expressed frustration over delays but celebrated the final outcome. “This is a big lift that will deliver necessary help to disaster survivors,” Tillis noted.
A Temporary Solution
The bill’s mid-March deadline sets the stage for further negotiations in the new Congress. This timeline allows the incoming Trump administration to have a say in the fiscal 2025 budget, ensuring their priorities are incorporated into long-term funding decisions.
Looking Ahead
While the funding patch provides temporary relief, the omissions highlight the ongoing challenges in achieving bipartisan cooperation. Both parties anticipate revisiting many of these issues in future legislative sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the primary purpose of the new funding bill?
The bill aims to avert a government shutdown by extending funding at current levels through March 14 and allocating over $110 billion in disaster aid.
2. Why were certain policies removed from the final legislation?
Many policies were excluded due to last-minute interventions by President-elect Trump and Elon Musk, which influenced Republican negotiators to revise the bill.
3. How does the bill address disaster relief?
The legislation provides billions of dollars for communities affected by recent disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. It also replenishes the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program.
4. What key policies were omitted from the bill?
Significant exclusions include regulations on pharmacy benefit managers, restrictions on U.S. investments in China, and measures to combat deceptive ticket advertising.
5. What’s next after the bill’s passage?
The mid-March funding deadline sets the stage for new negotiations, with the Trump administration expected to play a central role in shaping the fiscal 2025 budget.
The Senate’s passage of this funding patch underscores the complexities of modern governance, where competing priorities and political pressures often shape the legislative process.