The US Congress voted on an interim budget and a shutdown was avoided

Again, a government shutdown was averted in the US. Congress approves Interim Budget. This means that the finances of government officials are protected for the time being beyond the elections.

Members of Congress in the United States quickly passed legislation for an interim budget. This means that a standstill in government business – a so-called shutdown – can be avoided. Without agreement, employees in some areas of public administration will not be paid from next Tuesday.

Despite opposition within the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives, the bill passed by a vote of 341 to 82, with all dissenting votes coming from Republicans. The bill has already passed the Democratic-dominated Senate. The bill will now go to President Joe Biden for his signature before current funding expires at midnight (local time) on Monday.

Trump asked for alternative votes

The law now maintains funding for government agencies beyond the Nov. 5 presidential election — until Dec. 20. Expenditure will continue at the previous budget level.

On Wednesday last week, a majority of lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and the Senate rejected a bridge budget called for by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Unlike the rejected proposal, the deal now reached does not require citizens to provide proof of their citizenship when registering for nationwide elections. Trump, on his online network Truth Social, called on Republicans not to agree to the no-nonsense proposal.

More money for the Secret Service

House Speaker Mike Johnson said the package contained only the most necessary fiscal obligations. This includes $231 million (about 207 million euros) in additional funding for the Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting current and former presidents — which has come under fire because of two assassination attempts against Republican presidential candidate Trump.

Final spending decisions have been postponed and won't be made until after the election.