One day before the deadline, the US Congress managed to avoid a government shutdown. The Senate has approved a proposal to continue funding the federal government until at least February 18. The proposal had already been approved by the House of Representatives earlier in the day.
In October, the House of Representatives had approved an increase in the debt ceiling until December 3. Without an extension, a shutdown threatened. The US government is close to limiting the total amount it can borrow. If the ceiling is not raised in time, the country will no longer be able to meet all its financial obligations. Then certain government departments would have to close.
Keep your cool
Republican leaders had called on their party members in the House of Representatives to vote against the measure. In the end, a majority of 221 deputies voted in favour. In the Senate, the proposal received support from 69 Senators. “I’m glad those who kept their cool made the difference,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
The US government has had to deal with more shutdowns in recent years. The latter lasted 35 days, from December 22, 2018 to January 25, 2019, making it the longest in US history.
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