President Donald Trump on Friday night signed a very short-term spending bill to avoid a midnight government funding lapse, as negotiators continued to hash out a massive omnibus spending and coronavirus relief package.
The Senate approved it by voice vote almost immediately afterward, and President Donald Trump signed it late Friday.
The weekend funding extension buys lawmakers a little more time to pass the $1.4 trillion fiscal 2021 omnibus appropriations bill, which is expected to carry a roughly $900 billion COVID-19 aid measure and a smattering of unrelated legislation.
The omnibus was still hung up on several disputed parts of the aid bill on Friday night, however.
“I believe all sides feel we’re making good progress,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said after the Senate vote. “But alas, we are not there yet.”
McConnell then adjourned the Senate until 11 a.m. on Saturday. On Thursday, he put senators on notice they’d be in session through the weekend voting on nominations while waiting for a final spending bill.
The emerging agreement would deliver more than $300 billion in aid to businesses and provide the jobless a $300-per-week bonus federal unemployment benefit and renewal of state benefits that would otherwise expire right after Christmas. It also includes $600 direct payments to individuals; vaccine distribution funds and money for renters, schools, the Postal Service and people needing food aid.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
