The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a stopgap spending bill designed to keep federal agencies funded through September 30, averting a potential partial government shutdown that was set to begin this weekend.
The measure passed along nearly party lines by a 217-213 vote, with one Republican dissenting and one Democrat voting in favor.
The continuing resolution would maintain current funding levels for federal agencies until the end of the fiscal year. It now awaits approval from the Republican-majority Senate and must be signed by President Donald Trump by Friday to prevent a lapse in funding.
The move comes amid intense pressure from Trump, who has been urging House Republicans to unite behind his agenda of dramatically cutting government spending. Vice President JD Vance echoed this call for unity during a closed-door meeting Tuesday morning.
Several hardline Republican lawmakers, who have traditionally opposed stopgap measures, broke ranks this week. Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett, for instance, said he supported the resolution for the first time because it would reduce federal spending. “It’s the first time I’ve been here … that we’ve actually voted to decrease the size of government,” Burchett remarked after speaking with Trump, adding, “Leadership’s never lied to me and Trump’s never lied to me.”
The bill has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats. Representative Rosa DeLauro condemned the measure, stating, “It is not a simple stop-gap that keeps the lights on and the doors open. This is Republican leadership handing over the keys of the government, and a blank check to Elon Musk and to President Trump.” Meanwhile, Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky voted against the measure, while moderate Democrat Jared Golden of Maine broke ranks to vote in its favor.
Senate Republicans face a challenging task ahead, as they will likely need to secure the support of at least seven Democrats to prevent a shutdown. Failure to pass the continuing resolution could disrupt everything from financial oversight to scientific research and force hundreds of thousands of federal workers to miss paychecks—an outcome that adds further urgency to the negotiations.
The measure comes as part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to reduce the size of the federal workforce. So far, nearly 100,000 of the government’s 2.3 million civilian workers have been fired or taken buyouts, and Trump has effectively shuttered agencies responsible for foreign aid and consumer protections. A second round of layoffs has been ordered, with further cuts expected in the coming week.
With the continuing resolution extending funding until September 30, increases in defense, veterans’ care, and border security are expected to be offset by cuts to various domestic programs. As both sides of the aisle prepare for further debates in the Senate, the coming days will be critical in determining whether the government will avoid a shutdown amid an already turbulent fiscal environment.
In Tuesday’s closely watched parliamentary election, Greenland’s pro-business opposition Demokraatit party took a commanding lead after over 90% of the ballots were counted.
The European Union will impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28.33 billion) worth of U.S. goods from next month in response to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium, the European Commission said in a statement on Wednesday.
Mexico’s economy appears on track to contract in the first quarter, potentially plunging the country into a technical recession, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s fluctuating tariff policies disrupt growth that was already showing signs of weakness.
Ukraine confirmed on Tuesday that U.S. military assistance has resumed, following high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, according to a Ukrainian presidential official.
Poland's deputy prime minister vowed on Tuesday to stick with plans to introduce a new tax on big tech, hitting back at a threat of retaliation from the incoming United States ambassador amid a deepening war of words between Warsaw and Washington.
A Russian missile strike on a grain vessel in the Black Sea port of Odesa killed four people and damaged key infrastructure, underscoring the ongoing threats to Ukraine's vital export routes amid the ongoing war.
NASA has launched two missions to explore the universe’s origins and the Sun’s outer atmosphere. The SPHEREx observatory and PUNCH satellite constellation will map the cosmos and study solar wind, helping scientists understand cosmic evolution and improve space weather forecasts.
On March 12, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Ismail Serageldin, co-chairs of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, along with former heads of state, government, and Board of Trustees members.
The European Union will impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28 billion) worth of U.S. goods from next month, the European Commission said on Wednesday, ramping up a global trade war in response to blanket U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium.
President Donald Trump is preparing a new travel ban that could block entry for people from Afghanistan and Pakistan as early as next week. The move is part of an intensified immigration crackdown.
Italy’s League party urges the government to favour Starlink over French-led Eutelsat for satellite communication systems, citing Starlink's technological edge. The push comes amid delays in the EU’s IRIS² program, as Italy seeks secure communication solutions for officials.
XPeng Motors plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, becoming the first company globally to do so. CEO He Xiaopeng also highlighted advancements in autonomous driving and humanoid robotics as part of the company’s future tech initiatives.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is set to condemn Trump’s Gaza “Riviera” plan, backing Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction proposal. A classified draft resolution, rejects the relocation of Gazans, calls for urgent international support, and mobilises opposition to the U.S. stance.
A Russian missile strike on a grain vessel in the Black Sea port of Odesa killed four people and damaged key infrastructure, underscoring the ongoing threats to Ukraine's vital export routes amid the ongoing war.
Cuba has granted early release to 553 prisoners as part of a deal mediated by the Holy See during the final days of former U.S. President Joe Biden’s presidency.
Russian officials express reservations over the U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, highlighting the need for guarantees and the ongoing military situation.
Vietnam and Singapore have agreed to enhance cooperation in subsea cables, finance, and energy, upgrading their relations to a "comprehensive strategic relationship." They aim to expand digital connectivity and meet the growing demand for data services, with Singapore investing heavily in Vietnam.
China will hold talks with Russia and Iran in Beijing on Iran’s nuclear programme, following a UN Security Council meeting on uranium enrichment concerns.
A Russian missile strike on a grain vessel in the Black Sea port of Odesa killed four people and damaged key infrastructure, underscoring the ongoing threats to Ukraine's vital export routes amid the ongoing war.
NASA has launched two missions to explore the universe’s origins and the Sun’s outer atmosphere. The SPHEREx observatory and PUNCH satellite constellation will map the cosmos and study solar wind, helping scientists understand cosmic evolution and improve space weather forecasts.
On March 12, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Ismail Serageldin, co-chairs of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, along with former heads of state, government, and Board of Trustees members.
The European Union will impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28 billion) worth of U.S. goods from next month, the European Commission said on Wednesday, ramping up a global trade war in response to blanket U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment