Passage of the measure is likely one of the last actions that lawmakers will take into account this week earlier than adjourning for the vacations and making approach for the subsequent Congress.
WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders have unveiled a stopgap spending invoice that can maintain the federal authorities funded via March 14 and supply greater than $100 billion in emergency assist to assist states and native communities get better from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and different pure disasters.
The measure would forestall a partial authorities shutdown set to start after midnight Friday. It could kick last choices on this finances yr’s spending ranges to a brand new Republican-led Congress and President-elect Donald Trump. The persevering with decision typically continues present spending ranges for companies.
Passage of the measure is likely one of the last actions that lawmakers will take into account this week earlier than adjourning for the vacations and making approach for the subsequent Congress. It is the second short-term funding measure the lawmakers have taken up this fall as they struggled to go the dozen annual appropriations payments earlier than the brand new fiscal yr started Oct. 1, as they usually do.
The invoice will present $100.4 billion in catastrophe reduction, with a further $10 billion in financial help for farmers scuffling with low commodity costs and excessive enter prices.
“We have now to have the ability to assist those that are in these dire straits,” stated Home Speaker Mike Johnson informed reporters.
Internet farm earnings is projected to say no 4.1% this yr after falling 19.4% the yr earlier than from the report highs reached in 2022. Johnson indicated extra farm assist might be delivered within the subsequent Congress, saying “we will not do all it proper now.”
“Congress is doing one of the best it will possibly below troublesome circumstances, and I feel will probably be a giant increase for the business,” Johnson stated.
Rep. Glenn Thompson, the Republican chairman of the Home Agriculture Committee, stated he hoped for extra financial reduction for farmers, however “it’s an amazing begin.”
“I feel it’s going to ship the precise sign to the markets that almost all farmers and ranchers are going to have the ability to get eligible for the credit score they should borrow so as to plant a crop or elevate a herd,” Thompson stated.
President Joe Biden has sought about $114 billion in catastrophe assist, submitting a $99 billion request in November, telling lawmakers the funding was “urgently wanted.” The administration subsequently up to date its request to incorporate funding to restore federal amenities broken as a result of pure disasters.
The biggest share of the cash, about $29 billion, will go to the principle catastrophe reduction fund on the Federal Emergency Administration Company. The fund helps with particles elimination, repairing public infrastructure and offering monetary help to survivors. About $21 billion goes to assist farmers who’ve skilled crop or livestock losses.
One other $8 billion will go to assist rebuild and restore highways and bridges in additional than 40 states and territories. And a few $12 billion would go towards serving to communities get better via block grants administered by the Division of Housing and City Improvement. About $2.2 billion would go to low-interest loans for companies, nonprofits and householders attempting to rebuild after a catastrophe.
Because it usually does, Congress is predicted to behave simply earlier than one other shutdown deadline. Home Republicans typically give lawmakers 72 hours to overview textual content of the laws, which might push a vote on last passage to Friday in the event that they observe via on that rule. The Senate just isn’t identified for appearing speedily, however many lawmakers are anxious to adjourn for the yr and make approach for the subsequent Congress.
Because the invoice is the final must-pass laws of the present Congress, lawmakers have labored to get sure priorities included. On the well being care entrance, the laws seeks to increase protection of telehealth appointments for Medicare enrollees and rein in how a lot cash pharmacy advantages managers — the businesses that negotiate how and what medication are coated by insurance policy — make off these offers.
The invoice additionally consists of provisions centered on countering China, together with increasing on a Biden government order that seeks to limit investments into international locations that pose a nationwide safety menace to the US. Blocking China’s high-tech ambitions is likely one of the few points that enjoys broad help in Washington from each Republicans and Democrats.
There’s additionally a provision to switch the land that’s the website of the outdated RFK Stadium from the federal authorities to the District of Columbia, which might doubtlessly result in a brand new stadium for the Washington Commanders.
The laws additionally gives full federal funding to rebuild Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed when struck by a cargo ship that reported dropping energy simply earlier than the crash. Federal taxpayers will likely be reimbursed via proceeds from insurance coverage funds and litigation.
Related Press workers writers Stephen Groves and Amanda Seitz contributed to this report.
