Congress Finalizes Short-Term Spending Bill to Prevent Shutdown

The bill extends government funding to March 2025 and includes over $110 billion in disaster aid and other policy measures.

The legislation prevents a federal government shutdown by extending funding through March 14, 2025, buying time for the incoming Republican-controlled government to negotiate long-term funding plans.
The package includes $100.4 billion in disaster relief for areas affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers and a one-year extension of the farm bill.
Additional provisions address drone-related security threats, reforms to pharmacy benefit managers, and the redevelopment of Washington, D.C.'s RFK Stadium site.
The bill faced criticism from some House Republicans who opposed the inclusion of unrelated policy measures, labeling it a disguised omnibus spending bill.
The House and Senate face a tight timeline to pass the bill before the Friday midnight deadline to avoid a government shutdown, with potential reliance on bipartisan votes for approval.