US Democrats and Republicans in Congress came to a consensus on Thursday to extend government funding that was to end at 12.01 a.m. on Saturday.
- The legislators maneuvered the spending bill through the House and Senate after addressing differences over vaccine rules to avert a partial shutdown.
- The extension of federal spending is now expected to allow the legislators time to negotiate for new funding bills. Democrats are pushing for more funding to complete the $2 trillion package, while the Republicans are happy with the current levels.
- Republicans also plan to garner additional votes in Congress to stop the contested private-employer vaccine rules.
- The government funding measure, passed at 221-212, includes $7 billion for assisting Afghanistan evacuees and now awaits signing by President Joe Biden.
A government shutdown would have prompted furloughs for numerous federal workers, although critical functions such as benefit payments and military were to be unaffected.
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