US Congress Approves Budget, Government Shutdown Ends

WASHINGTON, (Patria) - The US House of Representatives approved a bill early Friday morning local time to fund the federal government until March 23 and increase the spending limit for the next two years, sending it to President Donald Trump for his signature, reports Hina.

The bill, passed by a vote of 240 to 186, is expected to end the financial shutdown of federal institutions that began at midnight after the previous temporary government funding expired.

Trump is expected to sign the bill, which will then take effect. The US Senate passed it several hours earlier.

The government shutdown technically began at midnight, marking the second time this year during President Trump's administration, who played a minor role in attempts by party leaders earlier this week to break the months-long budget deadlock.

The two-year budget and temporary government funding bill was passed in the Senate by a vote of 71 to 28. The budget's approval in the Senate was delayed by Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who spoke for nine hours against excessive spending.

In his marathon speech, which tested the patience of his colleagues, Senator Rand said the large budget was essentially a "robbery of the Treasury." The budget was increased by $300 billion to accommodate demands for increased defense spending and public spending over two years.

The Pentagon will receive an $80 billion increase for the current fiscal year for core defense programs, a 14 percent increase from the current level and exceeding Trump's request by $26 billion. Non-defense programs would receive about $60 billion more than the current amount. These figures would slightly increase for fiscal year 2019, which begins on October 1.

The Senate agreement includes nearly $90 billion for aid to Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico, which were hit by hurricanes.