– A good vote.
Senate Republican Majority Leader John Thune was visibly relieved when his chamber, near midnight on Sunday, finally agreed to put the latest budget proposal up for a vote.
The procedural vote, which opens the way for a “real” vote in the House, required at least 60 yes votes and passed with just that. This after eight centrist Democrats finally agreed to support the bill. One Republican, Rand Paul of Kentucky, went against the party line and voted no.
No food stamps
The deal comes after a 40-day shutdown — the longest in U.S. history — that was triggered by a failure by congressional Democrats and Republicans to agree on a new federal budget, which has led to the suspension of aid payments, the shutdown of federal operations, and the furloughing of many state employees since Oct. 1.
On November 1, food stamp payments to America's 42 million needy people also ceased.
According to the compromise proposal that now looks likely to be adopted, the state's funding will be secured until the end of January. However, certain costs - defense spending, support for military veterans and support for the Department of Agriculture, which pays out food stamps - will be secured for one year, according to US media.
In addition, there is a writing that repeals the Trump administration's dismissal of government employees during the shutdown,Axios reports.
Angry Democrats
The deal, however, is stirring up anger within the Democrats. Several senators, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, strongly oppose the bill, primarily because it does not guarantee an extension of subsidized healthcare within the framework of the health insurance "Obamacare", which the party has demanded in budget negotiations.
Instead, the Democrats have received a verbal promise of a vote on the issue in mid-December.
"A terrible mistake. The American people want us to fight for healthcare," said Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren, according to NPR radio.
The Senate reconvenes at 5 p.m. on Monday, Swedish time, and there are hopes that a vote could take place soon after. If approved, the compromise package will be sent to the House of Representatives, which must also approve the text of the law before President Donald Trump signs it.
Even in the House of Representatives, however, there are potential pitfalls: The arch-conservative so-called Freedom Committee would rather see a deal that lets all costs run for a year, according to Axios .
Tina Magnergård Bjers/TT
Facts: US Congress
TT
Congress is the federal legislative assembly of the United States, based in the Capitol in the capital, Washington, D.C. Its work runs in two-year terms – the 119th Congress session will begin on January 3, 2025.
Congress consists of the Senate with 100 members, two from each state, and the House of Representatives with 435 seats distributed in relation to the states' populations.
In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 of the seats. South Dakota Senator John Thune is the majority leader and New York Democrat Chuck Schumer is the minority leader.
In the House of Representatives, Republicans have 219 seats, Democrats 213, and three are vacant. Mike Johnson is the Speaker and Hakeem Jeffries is the Minority Leader.
Congress enacts federal laws, decides on taxes and appropriations, and approves the federal budget (whose fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30). Congress also approves ministers and other high-ranking officials – and can remove federal officials, including the president and judges, through impeachment.
Sources: US Congress, House Press Gallery
