Biden signs funding package, avoiding government shutdown

President Biden signed a $460 billion government-funding package into law Saturday, after the Senate averted a partial shutdown the night before.

The “minibus” bill will allow enough funds to keep a slew of federal agencies operating through September.

The measure is a package of six bills brokered by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), President Joe Biden and top leaders in both parties.

It will help fund the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Transportation, Commerce, Justice and Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Food and Drug Administration and military construction.

Following a slew of partisan sparing, the Senate voted 75-22 Friday night in favor of the package to beat a midnight deadline. It passed the House on Wednesday, 339-85.

Congressional leaders will now turn their attention to six remaining appropriations bills.

Funding for the Pentagon, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services and the State Department will run out at 11:59 p.m. March 22 if another spending package isn’t passed.