The U.S. Congress on Sunday announced a bipartisan agreement on the entire federal budget for fiscal year 2024, taking a step toward avoiding paralysis of the U.S. government in this presidential election year.
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The agreement on a federal spending cap of about $1.6 trillion was announced after weeks of negotiations by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic congressional leaders.
The decision was quickly applauded by President Joe Biden, who said in a statement that the agreement “moves us one step closer to avoiding an unnecessary government shutdown and protecting important national priorities.”
But time is running out for rival parties in Congress to agree on spending details and pass legislation before a Jan. 19 deadline when some federal agencies will run out of funds.
The deal would include an $886.3 billion increase in Pentagon spending, well over $100 billion above the level of nonmilitary spending set by Democrats.
“By securing $772.7 billion in non-defense discretionary funding, we can protect key national priorities such as veterans benefits, health care and food assistance from the draconian cuts desired by right-wing extremists,” emphasized Chuck Schumer, Chairman of the Defense Committee Senate Majority and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a joint statement.
The agreement “paves the way for Congress to act in the coming weeks to maintain key funding priorities for the American people and avoid a government shutdown,” they said.
In his statement, Mr. Biden emphasized that the agreement “rejects deep cuts to programs that hardworking families rely on and paves the way for the passage of full-year funding legislation that meets the needs of the American people and is free.” “of extreme politics.”
But it risks alienating the right wing of Mr. Johnson's Republican caucus in the House, many of whom have insisted on the need for belt-tightening at the budget level.