1 of 1 Banner in front of the US Congress calls for approval of a project that avoids a closure of public services Photo: Ken Cedeno/Portal Banner in front of the US Congress calls for approval of a project that avoids a closure of public services Photo: Ken Cedeno/ Portal
The United States House of Representatives approved this Saturday (30) a budget project that extends government funding for another 45 days, thus avoiding the socalled “shutdown”, a strike that would interrupt the work of public institutions.
The measure passed with 335 votes in favor and 91 against, with greater support from Democratic lawmakers, including President Joe Biden. It will now be forwarded to the Senate for analysis.
The text does not specify the funds the government wanted to allocate to Ukraine, a proposal that was criticized by Republican lawmakers. On the other hand, there is a forecast of $16 billion for federal assistance in natural disasters, like the one Biden is defending.
The approval came after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy abandoned calls for drastic spending cuts.
“Let’s do our job,” said McCarthy of the Republican Party. “We will be in the room as adults. And we will keep the government open.”
Why can shutdowns occur?
Each year, the U.S. Congress must approve the spending budget for the following fiscal year, which begins October 1st. However, the process typically takes time as 12 bills need to be negotiated and approved.
To avoid delays, members of Congress may resort to passing an interim funding bill to allow the government to continue operating while the budget is finalized.
However, if funding legislation is not enacted, federal agencies will have to stop all nonessential work, resulting in closures.
What would happen in a strike?
The closure of public services impacts multiple sectors of North American society. As a result, the government must:
- Lay off employees until you can pay them properly.
- Let military personnel work without pay.
- Ensure service workers deemed essential work unpaid.
- Disrupt public programs and services.
- Close a number of offices, museums, parks and other public places.
- Reorganize air traffic and the issuance of passports and visas according to staff availability.