U.S Congress has not yet passed a stopgap budget as the clock is ticking toward a shutdown of some US government services.
Government funding expires at midnight and if Congress does not pass a budget by Friday some US government services could shut down.
US President Joe Biden canceled a trip in an effort to focus on budget negotiations amid a tense moment in Washington.
This week saw GOP (Republicans) lawmakers in the Senate block an effort by Democrats to combine an increase in the amount of money the government can borrow – known as the debt ceiling – with government funding.
Democrats argued that the Republicans’ move was irresponsible.
The GOP move is forcing Democrats to come up with a plan to fund the government, as the Friday deadline rapidly approaches. If Congress fails to pass a short-term plan by Thursday midnight, certain government services will shut down on Friday.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed to extend funding before Friday’s deadline.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Wednesday evening that an agreement had been reached, paving the way for a Thursday vote in the chamber on a continuing resolution, which keeps the government funded at current levels for a set time period.
“Tomorrow, the Senate will vote on legislation to prevent a needless shutdown, provide long-sought emergency funding to help Americans still reeling from natural disasters, and provide funding to help re-settle Afghan refugees, “ Schumer said on a tweet.
“Republicans’ refusal to support a suspension of the debt ceiling is downright dangerous and threatens six million jobs, financial security for working families and could send the unemployment rate to nine percent, Pelosi said.
If the bill is not enacted, the federal government would face a shutdown after the calendar turns to Friday. The deal announced by Schumer would keep the government open through Dec. 3.
The House passed a government funding bill last week on a party-line vote of 220-211.
A shutdown would mean many federal government functions would be put on hold until a budget is passed, and some federal workers would be placed on furlough.
Services considered essential, such as law enforcement or public safety, would continue. Military operations would continue, as would medical care for US veterans, air traffic control and criminal investigations conducted by the federal government. The US Postal Service would also continue its operations.
On the list for suspension would be national parks and certain museums in Washington, D.C. There would also be delays in passport and visa applications.
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