US Government Funding Till September 30: Congress Reaches Agreement
Avoiding Shutdown: Key Agencies Like Defense and Homeland Security Not Fully Funded
According to American Military News, the U.S. congressional leaders have reached an agreement to fund the government until September 30 to prevent another shutdown. This $436 billion package represents progress in settling disagreements that have held up government funding for a long time while the deal includes measures to halt the sale of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China and monitor foreign purchases of U.S. farmland, important agencies like the Defense Department and Homeland Security are not funded which could lead to a shutdown.
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Democrats Highlight Boost in Funding for Programs Like Feeding Women and Children
Senate Majority Leader Schumer said that the bill does not include controversial policies and ensuring the government stays open without cuts of rules. Democrats point out the boost in funding for programs such as feeding women and children and improving infrastructure and supporting veterans. The bill does not meet conservative requests for spending on things like domestic programs. Republicans did manage to get some changes like restrictions on sharing the veterans’ data with the federal gun database and shifting funds from tax audits and COVID-19 aid.