The Senate moved forward on Tuesday with a short-term deal to avert another government shutdown after President Donald Trump announced a temporary agreement with Congress.
The Senate’s short-term deal was a result of the difficulty the two sides have had coming to a permanent agreement on a federal budget. The recent stalemate indicates that not only the White House but Congress as well are having difficulty coming to a secure agreement.
The deal’s passing came in a 81-18 vote which is indicative of the majority of the Senate’s members being in favor of the deal. The agreement had significant bipartisan support, making it even more impressive.
The agreement calls for an additional $320 billion in government spending and includes a pay increase for federal employees. It extends the debt ceiling through July 1st as well as funding for various government programs.
The short-term agreement is a result of the government’s need to adequately fund critical programs. As Congress and the White House have continually struggled to come to a permanent agreement, an additional agreement provides more funding and decreases the risk of a government shutdown.
The short-term deal is also intended to buy both sides more time to come to a permanent deal on the budget. It’s possible that the deal will provide additional funds for a few months while the two sides work out the details in the long-term.
The most significant outcome of the recent deal is that it provides time and opportunity for both sides to come to an agreement on a federal budget which has been elusive for quite some time.
The agreement also provides further clarification on the issue of government shutdowns, making it possible for programs to keep running without as much disruption and for the debt ceiling not to be threatened by a government shutdown.
Ultimately, the short-term deal is a step forward. It allows both sides more time to come to an agreement and increases the chances of a successful, long-term deal.