US Congress Passes Temporary Funding Bill, Averts Government Shutdown

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Thursday, January 1st, 2026

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Washington, December 31 — The United States Congress has approved a temporary funding bill to keep federal government operations running, averting a potential shutdown as the year draws to a close.

The stopgap measure, passed after days of negotiations between Democratic and Republican leaders, extends government funding for several weeks while lawmakers continue talks on a longer-term budget agreement. The bill now awaits the president’s signature, expected before the current funding deadline expires.

US officials said the legislation is designed to prevent disruptions to essential services, including air travel, border security, national parks, and federal employee operations. A government shutdown would have led to the furlough of thousands of federal workers and the suspension of non-essential services.

Congressional leaders from both parties described the measure as necessary to provide stability and avoid economic uncertainty. However, they acknowledged that key disagreements remain over federal spending priorities, including defense funding, border security, and domestic programs.

The temporary bill maintains funding levels largely in line with previous allocations, buying time for lawmakers to negotiate a comprehensive budget package early next year. Budget analysts noted that repeated reliance on short-term funding reflects ongoing political divisions in Washington over fiscal policy.

Previous government shutdowns have disrupted financial markets, delayed public services, and affected millions of Americans. Business groups and public sector unions had urged Congress to act swiftly to avoid similar consequences.

Negotiations on a full-year budget are expected to resume in January, with lawmakers facing pressure to reach a bipartisan agreement that addresses long-term fiscal challenges while ensuring continuity of government operations.